ASSOULINECasino Monte-Carlo: The Grand Art of Gaming

The Casino de Monte-Carlo is far more than a legendary gaming house. It is the place from which modern Monte-Carlo emerged: an architectural landmark, a social stage, and an enduring symbol of Monegasque elegance. Conceived in the nineteenth century and designed by Charles Garnier, the Casino helped transform the Mediterranean town into one of the world’s most celebrated destinations. Casino de Monte-Carlo: The Grand Art of Gaming tells the story of that transformation and of the visionaries who understood that the Casino’s success would depend on much more than the turn of a wheel. Under businessman and real estate developer Francois Blanc, it became the center of a new way of life, surrounded by grand hotels, gardens, performances, festivities, and refined leisure. Written by Charlotte Lubert-Notari, Heritage Manager at Monte-Carlo’s Societe des Bains de Mer, the book leads readers through the building’s most remarkable spaces, from the monumental Atrium and the Salle Europe to the Salon Rose, Salle des Ameriques, Salle Blanche, and beyond. Each room reveals a different chapter in the Casino’s history, shaped by generations of architects, artists, sculptors, and decorators. Together, they form a richly layered interior that has evolved with the times, while being immortalized through films such as Ocean’s Twelve (2004) and the James Bond classics Never Say Never Again (1983) and GoldenEye (1995). Historic photography from the archives of the Societe des Bains de Mer encapsulates the glamorous international atmosphere of Monaco throughout the twentieth century, and contemporary images bring the story into the present, showing a living landmark that continues to welcome visitors from around the world. Casino de Monte-Carlo: The Grand Art of Gaming celebrates the vision, beauty, and sense of possibility that made the Casino de Monte-Carlo legendary, and the role it continues to play in shaping the identity of Monaco.