Casino de Monte Carlo
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A magnificent belle époque extravaganza, Monte Carlo’s Casino was designed in 1878 by Charles Garnier, architect of the Paris opera house. With its commanding position and dazzling views of Monaco, it is impressive enough from the outside. But within it is truly dazzling: a veritable temple to luck, luxury and ostentatious self-indulgence, haunted by the phantoms of royal and aristocratic gamblers including the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia, and many more. The stage of the Salle Garnier attracted artistic talents such as the great ballet choreographers, Diaghilev and Nijinsky. Modern slot machines and video poker screens look decidedly out of place amid these grand surroundings.
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1. Atrium
Paved in marble, the vast entrance hall is surrounded by 28 Ionic columns. The atrium links the casino with the Salle Garnier, and its grandeur gives a hint of what awaits within.
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2. Salle Garnier
Named after the architect, the concert hall is lavishly turned out in red and gold, its walls adorned with frescoes and encrusted with bas-reliefs .
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3. Salon Blanc
The wall painting in the White Room, Graces of Florence , depicts three muses said to represent 19th-century French courtesans, Cleo de Merode, Liane de Pougy and Otero.
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4. Salon Rose
The ceiling is the most noteworthy feature of the casino’s smoking room. It is decorated with voluptuous, cigar-smoking female nudes whose gaze, according to legend, follows you around the room.
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5. Renaissance Hall
This large room filled with roulette tables is the main gaming room. Its belle époque finery imitates the high style of the Italian Renaissance.
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6. Salle Europe
The opulent Salle Europe, where roulette is again the featured game, is lit by eight huge chandeliers of glittering Bohemian crystal.
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7. Salles Privées
The Salle Médecin, Salle de l’Empire and Salle Touzet are the casino’s private rooms. Behind closed doors the high rollers gather, in surroundings of gilded mahogany.
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8. Salle des Palmiers
In summer, gaming moves to the Salle des Palmiers, a contemporary building with fine views of the sea from its lovely bars and terraces.
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9. Jardins de Casino
Opposite the casino are the magnificent flower gardens, immaculate lawns and lily pools of the Casino Gardens, sloping up towards Monaco’s most exclusive shopping area (see Casino Gardens, Monaco).
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10. Café de Paris
King Edward VII was a regular customer to the belle époque café in front of the casino, first known as the Café Divan. In the 1930s, while retaining its original façade, it was transformed into an Art Deco triumph and was lovingly renovated again in 1988 (see Café de Paris, Monte Carlo).
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