You bet! The stories behind some of France’s most historic casinos

I don’t want to encourage you to go gambling, but it would be a shame for you to miss the charms of France’s most venerable casinos, splendid pieces of architecture that also serve as cultural institutions. 

Their story is linked to the history of the villes d’eaux (thermal spas) and seaside resorts that blossomed during the Belle Epoque, when gambling was not a standalone industry but a necessary entertainment used to lure the European aristocracy to health resorts.

1. Enghien-les-Bains, Ile-de-France

Located 15km from Paris, Enghien-les-Bains sits on the shores of a serene lake and features a striking glass atrium. Dating from 1901, the building was once famously known as the “casino bateau” (“ship casino”) because its white façade and terraces extended over the water like the prow of a ship. Inside, the décor is a mix of elegance and modern luxury, featuring gold frescoes inspired by Gustav Klimt and a sparkling “starry sky” ceiling in the main gaming hall.

2. Deauville, Normandy (pictured, top)

Ian Fleming spent much of his time here during and after World War Two, and it is considered the primary inspiration for the setting of his first James Bond novel, Casino Royale. Its architecture, with a majestic white façade overlooking the sea, was inspired by the opera house at the Palace of Versailles. Every September, the casino becomes a hub for the Deauville American Film Festival, where Hollywood stars can be spotted on its grand double-flight staircase.

3. Casino Impérial d’Annecy

This Belle Epoque-style casino first opened its doors in 1913 and stands in one of the most picturesque locations in France. Set within the Grand Impérial Palace hotel, in the middle of a leafy park on a peninsula on Lake Annecy, it has a unique “Alps-meets-Riviera” atmosphere, with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and breathtaking views of the lake. Its elegant architecture blends traditional French chic with modern luxury.

4. Biarritz, Pyrénées-Atlantiques

La Grande Plage – the main seafront of the Basque Coast’s elegant aristocratic resort – is dominated by this Art Deco survivor. Its terrace overlooking the Atlantic Ocean is the perfect place to contemplate the sunset and watch surfers riding the waves.

5. Casino de Monte-Carlo (Monaco)

This is not strictly in France, of course, but close enough; and we couldn’t possibly leave it out. It was conceived in the mid-19th Century by Princess Caroline to save the ruling house from financial ruin and was largely designed by Charles Garnier, the architect behind the Paris Opéra. Its glamorous halls have been celebrated in songs and films, notably the James Bond movies GoldenEye and Never Say Never Again.