February 18 marks a defining moment in Monaco’s history, as it was the inauguration of the Casino de Monte-Carlo in 1863, an event that would reshape the Principality’s destiny and establish its global reputation for elegance and leisure…
The prestigious Belle Époque establishment opened in the presence of Prince Charles III and François Blanc, the visionary head of the Société des Bains de Mer. At the time, Monaco was facing severe financial challenges following the loss of Menton and Roquebrune, which had represented the vast majority of its territory and economic resources before their annexation to France in 1861. In response, the Sovereign set out to transform Monaco into a luxury resort capable of attracting wealthy international visitors.
An initial attempt to establish a casino on Place du Palais in 1856 proved unsuccessful. The project found its true home several years later on the barren plateau of Les Spélugues, the site that would become Monte-Carlo. There, the Casino began to take shape as the centrepiece of a new vision for the Principality.
Designed by Parisian architect Gobineau de la Bretonnerie, the Casino quickly became an architectural and cultural landmark. More than a gaming venue, it symbolised Monaco’s reinvention and laid the foundations for the tourism and hospitality industry that continues to define the Principality today.
Image: Studio RP