Figueres is marking a notable anniversary this June 2026, as the Motel Empordà celebrates 65 years in business. The occasion also coincides with the centenary of its founder, Josep Mercader i Brugués, the chef and restaurateur from Cadaqués who created the hotel.
The Motel Empordà first opened on 4 June 1961 on the main road to France. Its position in Figueres placed it at a key point for travel and tourism in the Empordà, as the city was becoming a gateway for visitors entering Catalonia from Europe.
Mercader turned the roadside hotel into an important name in modern Catalan cuisine. His work helped shape the region’s gastronomic identity, and the anniversary brings that legacy back into focus.
The two dates, Mercader’s birth in 1926 and the opening of the Motel Empordà in 1961, give the commemoration its wider meaning. Together, they underline the lasting influence of one local project on Catalonia’s food culture.
For readers following local news across the region, the anniversary sits within a wider story of Catalan heritage and hospitality. More coverage can be found on our news page, and background on the hotel is available from the Motel Empordà website.
