Once upon a time, there was a casino...

At the outset - in the mid-19th century - there was the rather crazy idea of transforming the Spélugues plateau, an arid and wild Mediterranean promontory, into a holiday and gaming destination for the Mediterranean nobility and upper middle classes. The idea was whispered into the ear of Prince Charles III of Monaco by François Blanc, founder of the Société des Bains de Mer.

The Casino de Monte-Carlo was built in 1863, and theHôtel de Paris a year later. And because "nothing can be done here like anywhere else", said Monsieur Blanc, the casino quickly became an emblem of the Principality, attracting royalty, artists, intellectuals and the curious in search of luxury and excitement. The rules of the game may have changed, but the aura of the place has remained intact.

At the gates of refinement

Before coming to try your luck, take the time to immerse yourself in the place during a morning visit. Every day, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Casino de Monte-Carlo opens its doors to lovers of fine things, history and Belle Époque architecture. Just like its façade, it promises a world apart.

At the entrance, you'll find a magnificent Atrium paved with marble and spiked with 28 Ionic columns. Charles Garnier, the architect of the Paris Opéra, was responsible for the splendour. One of its jewels is hidden behind the casino: The Opéra de Monte-Carlo, an Italian-style theatre accessible from the grand staircase...

Art at the heart of the lounges

The heart of the casino also beats to the rhythm of the works of art it houses. In the lounges, on the walls and ceilings, paintings and frescoes all tell the same story: that of women, the eternal muse and allegory of nature and the arts. Nineteenth-century masters hold the brushes. Like the Salle Europe, with its imposing glass roof and eight Bohemian crystal chandeliers, and works by Picard, Steck, Lucas and Ribera.

Once past the modern Salle des Amériques, you arrive in the elegant and luminous Salle Blanche, once a reading and relaxation room. Here you can recognise the features of the Belle Otero or Liane de Pougy, Monte-Carlo's 'socialites', immortalised as Florentine Graces by the painter Paul Gervais. Finally, in the prestigious Salle Médecin, bas-reliefs by Émile Peynot seem to make the sun Helios and the moon Selene dance.

Mischievous mysteries

The Casino de Monte-Carlo also has its little secrets... Starting with the bull's-eyes in the Salle Europe. Now closed, they were once used to watch the players discreetly. And maybe you'll catch him on the ceiling of the Salon Rose, the former smoking room turned restaurant: a strange cherub turns his back to you, seeming to present his holy buttocks wherever you are.

Finally, there's this clock hanging on one of the walls of the Salons Touzet, or 'Twin' Rooms. Curious, given that clocks are often banned from casinos, where players are encouraged to lose all sense of time. But you'll learn that the clock in the Salons Touzet is a vestige of a time when gamblers, caught up in the madness of the game, couldn't afford to miss the last train!

Place your bets!

After your leisurely morning visit, in the afternoon (from 2pm), make way for the pleasures of gambling! The lounges of the Casino de Monte-Carlo, so quiet just a few hours ago, are suddenly filled with gamblers from all walks of life: neophytes, amateurs or enthusiasts, to each his own. The only conditions are that you must be over 18 and dressed to the nines. Otherwise, the Casino de Monte-Carlo offers a variety of games to suit all tastes.

Choose your lounge and try your luck! Challenge the most modern slot machines in the Salle Renaissance or the Salons Touzet. Try your hand at roulette, blackjack or punto banco in the Europe Room. Here, everything has been designed to make gambling an elegant and immersive adventure.

From one table to another

At the Casino de Monte-Carlo, the art of gambling mingles with the art of dining. Extend your experience with the flavours of its restaurants. With its alcoves and high ceiling, the Le Salon Rose restaurant has preserved its boudoir atmosphere, serving local and international cuisine. Don't miss its terrace overlooking the Mediterranean, a pure marvel!

For a sweet break, take a seat under the glass roof of the Atrium, at the Café de la Rotonde. Or maybe you'd prefer to take up an invitation to the Salle Europe lounge bar for one of its signature cocktails. James Bond was a regular here. In the evening, climb aboard Le Train Bleu, a Belle Époque restaurant wagon, and set off on a journey to the very heart of Italian gastronomy. Out the window, the Place du Casino!

Practical info

Tours from 10am to 1pm (last entry at 12.15pm)

Adults with audioguide | 20 euros
Children aged 13 to 17 with audioguide | 15 euros
Children aged 6 to 12 with audioguide | 0 euros

Groups of 10 or more:

Adult with audioguide | 17 euros
Children aged 13 to 17 with audioguide | 12 euros
Children aged 6 to 12 with audioguide | 0 euros

Gaming rooms from 2pm

Single rate of 20 euros + Casino Royal offer included from 2pm (Casino Royal offer not included if ticket purchased in the morning)
Casino Royal offer (valid only if ticket purchased in the afternoon): choice of €10 voucher for use at the slot machines, bar or Salon Rose restaurant (minimum restaurant consumption of €40 per person).

Access authorised to all adults.

National identity card (EU member countries) or passport with photo required.