Would you stay in a hotel that stands right in the middle of the border between two countries? It sure sounds strange and exciting. After all, who would not like to stay in two countries at a time, correct? It might sound like a hotel from some movie or a book. But to your surprise and ours, such a hotel does exist in reality! Hotel Arbez is a unique hotel that shares its building in two European countries – standing tall and proud on the France-Switzerland border goes without saying the hotel and the hotel owner have a unique story behind this peculiar hotel, isn’t it?

So what’s the story here?
Well, this hotel was actually in the correct place with no border sharing feature. However, a new border was drawn between the two countries in the year 1862. The new France-Switzerland border was also part of a piece of land that was owned by Mr. Ponthus. Soon after, he opened a shop which eventually grew into a hotel. Hence, the border-sharing hotel. Half of its side is in France while the other half is in Switzerland. The hotel, of course, has crazy stories around the same issue. Such as the time during World War 2 when the hotel served Nazzy troops and French resistance under the same roof. The Nazzy troops were hosted on the French side of the hotel. While the resistance stayed on the Switzerland side of the building.
What do you eat on the France-Switzerland border?
The hotel’s working is one of a kind, of course. The French side of the hotel is full of french cuisines and heavy and elegant multiple courses. On the other hand, on the Switzerland side, the hotel serves lighter fare favored by the Swiss. You can choose any side depending on your taste and cravings! The experience of staying in this hotel is surely one of the most unique that will be hard to find anywhere else!
If you plan to visit any of these countries, make sure to stay in hotel Arbez if possible. We are sure it will add a peculiar experience to your travel list!
if you loved reading about this hotel on the France-Switzerland border, you’ll like reading about this Canadian hotel in the wild where you live in dangling spheres!
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