Monte Carlo Casino, Beaux-Arts casino in Monte Carlo, Monaco
Monte Carlo Casino is a Beaux-Arts gambling house in Monte Carlo, Monaco that unites several gaming rooms, reception halls, and an opera house within a single building complex. The interiors display polished marble floors, carved wooden panelling, and painted ceilings that extend across multiple interconnected salons.
François Blanc opened the original version of the building in the 1860s to attract foreign visitors to Monaco and bring new revenue to the principality. The architect Charles Garnier later designed new wings and an opera hall that opened in 1879 with a performance by Sarah Bernhardt.
The main entrance with its heavy bronze doors and polished stone steps leads into a large reception area where gamblers and visitors move beneath high vaulted ceilings. In the salons, guests sit at green baize tables while the rooms with their golden ornaments and murals create a formal atmosphere that recalls the world of French theatre.
Visitors should check current dress code requirements before their visit, as trainers, shorts, and similar casual clothing are not allowed in the gaming areas. The main rooms sit on the ground floor and first floor, with some areas accessible only to active players.
Legislation from the 19th century bans Monaco residents from entering the gaming areas, a rule that remains in place today and is enforced by security staff. The gaming tables in the Salon Europe sit in a room overlooking the sea, where parts of James Bond films were also shot.
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