Monte Carlo Casino

The Monte Carlo Casino, in the Principality of Monaco, is much more than a simple gaming center; it is an icon of luxury, history, and architecture. Here are some interesting facts and curiosities.

• Work of Charles Garnier: It was built by the famous architect Charles Garnier, the same architect who designed the majestic Paris Opera House. Therefore, both buildings share a grandiose style known as Beaux Arts, also known as the Second Empire Style or “Napoleon III Style.”
• Belle Époque and Luxury: The casino is a sublime example of the Belle Époque style, with a profusion of marble and gold throughout its interior, painted ceilings, frescoes, and sculptures that give it a majestic air.
• Themed Rooms: The casino has various gaming rooms, such as the “Salle Blanche” (White Room), which is said to have been used as a “resting place” for gamblers. There’s also the America room, with the most sophisticated slot machines.
  Lush Gardens: Surrounding the casino are the Monte Carlo Casino Gardens, designed by landscape architect Edouard André. These gardens offer stunning views of the Mediterranean and feature subtropical species, earning them the nickname “Little Africa.”
• Origin to Avoid Bankruptcy: The idea of ​​opening a casino arose in the 1850s from Princess Caroline, wife of Prince Florestan I, as a desperate way to generate income for a bankrupt microstate.
• The Genius of François Blanc: The key to success came with François Blanc, an entrepreneur who obtained the concession to operate the gaming rooms in 1861. It was Blanc who positioned Monte Carlo as an exclusive destination, with the famous phrase: “We should not do here anything that is done elsewhere.”
• The name “Monte Carlo”: Blanc proposed renaming the area “Monte Carlo” (Mount Charles) in honor of Prince Charles III, with the aim of making it more attractive to visitors, and so it was
• Prohibited for citizens of Monaco: One of the most striking curiosities is that citizens of Monaco themselves are prohibited from gambling in the casino’s gaming rooms. They can enjoy other facilities, such as the theater or opera, but not gamble. This measure was implemented to protect them from potential financial losses.
• Event Venue:** In addition to its function as a casino, the complex houses the Grand Théâtre de Monte-Carlo (an opera and ballet house) and is home to the Ballets de Monte-Carlo. It has also hosted sporting events, such as the European Poker Tour Grand Final. Even the route of the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix passes through the casino.
• No Clocks in the Gaming Rooms: It is said that there are no clocks in the gaming rooms so that players lose track of time and continue betting. However, some sources claim that the clocks are an original design feature from the 1850s.

The Monte Carlo Casino is not only a place of luck, but also an emblem of Monaco’s history, art, and unique lifestyle.