The birthplace of roulette, France is one of the largest casino destinations in the world. So the guys and gals at Lucky Nugget Casino have come together to discover the best French casinos – for anyone who wants to visit or simply wants to know more about the country that brought us classic games.
There are 186 legal gaming establishments in France, spread across 175 cities. Very few regions have more than one casino: even Paris, the capital, has only one casino alongside its five other gambling venues. Casinos in France also tend to be small and intimate, like their British counterparts: they occupy the floor of a hotel rather than an entire city block. If you’re looking for a more personal touch to your game, Paris has what you need.
Palais De La Méditerranée, Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte D’Azur
The Palais de la Méditerranée is not at all a large casino: there are 17 gaming tables, with eight roulettes, and only a few slot machines. The casino’s appeal comes from its grandeur and majesty: it is located in one of Nice’s main landmarks, a magnificent nine-story luxury hotel on the Nice waterfront.
Built in 1929, the hotel has undergone some changes since its inception, but it still remains a paradigm of class. Everything about it has a feeling of glamour. Grab a fancy cocktail at the bar and feel like you’re back in the 1930s. Try visiting the casino while it’s having a 1930s gala: this will show you how big and magnificent the casino was in the era, as well as its current beauty.
Casino De Divonnes Les Bains, Divonnes-Le-Bains, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Divonnes-les-Bains is close to the French border with Switzerland, so many high rollers from Geneva come to discover the delights of this casino. It is the largest casino in France in terms of games offered: there is a poker room, 13 table games, and 355 video game machines (including 244 slot machines).
The casino is open until 3 a.m., while customers can enter from noon on weekdays and 11 a.m. on weekends. There is plenty of space to walk around and take in the sights. And, like many other top French casinos, appearance is key: the grand hotel is a 4-star paradise, and two restaurants offer varied cuisine for the most discerning palates.
Casino Barrière D’Enghein-Les-Bains, Enghein-Les-Bains, Paris
The only casino in the Île-de-France region, all players passing through Paris stop off at this luxurious establishment. It is therefore not surprising that it is a large casino, designed to accommodate all Parisian tourists and businessmen who want to play games of chance. It’s also home to the only slot machines for miles around!
Switch to one of 280 gaming machines to play slots or video poker, or play one of 38 table games. There are all the casino classics like Roulette and Blackjack, but you can also try something different – chemin de Fer is the original French version of Baccarat, and still the most popular version in the country. Try it and see if you can beat the banker.
Casino Le Lyon Vert, Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
No list of the best French casinos would be complete without mentioning Casino le Lyon Vert. It’s truly a luxurious gaming destination, with 334 slot machines, 15 table games, and regular bingo draws to entertain the country’s third-largest city. And the casino is open until 4 a.m. to accommodate all the city’s night owls.
There is also a 9,688-square-foot spa on site, which is larger than most French casinos. Step away from the games room to visit the fantastic restaurants and soak up the atmosphere. However, if Lyon is a bit far for you, the casino also offers an online option: you can feel like you are there while staying in the comfort of your home. As long as your French is good enough, that is!
Casino de Monte-Carlo, Monte-Carlo, Monaco
Yes, we know – Monaco is its own country, but it occupies a strange sort of limbo: it’s so famous that it needs to be mentioned, but you can’t dedicate an entire blog to just one casino. As a compromise, we included it in French casinos – after all, citizens of Monaco are not allowed to enter gambling halls, so it is a favorite of wealthy French tourists looking to spend money.
The casino opened in 1863 and is famous for many reasons – its style, its elegance, its history, and for hosting the National Opera. It was the inspiration for many James Bond locations and served as the filming location for Ocean’s Twelve. There are 108,000 square feet of gaming space, approximately 300 slot machines, and endless table games. You can even play them on the terrace, to play with a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea. Now that’s something worth taking a trip for!