When Monaco and Paris didn't share the same time
Originally, the Casino de Monte-Carlo's facade featured two clocks: one displaying Paris time and the other showing Côte d'Azur time. This was before 1884, when Greenwich Mean Time became a universal standard. Evidence of this history remains visible in the two round niches beneath each dome of the gaming hall. Look up to admire the impressive facade! A striking central clock now dominates the entrance, flanked by two bronze winged genii.
In response to the domes designed by Charles Garnier for the Opéra de Monte-Carlo on the seafront, Jules Touzet added two mosaicked domes on the Casino side in 1890, reflecting the colours of the Principality. Additionally, the glass roof of the Atrium can be seen in the middle of the roof.
A refinement of architectural details
Both externally and internally, Ionic columns punctuate the space. Their capitals are decorated with either crowns of scrolling leaves or flowers that cascade downward in delicate lines.
The Casino de Monte-Carlo is thus one of the jewels of the eclectic Belle Époque style, closely linked to the era of Emperor Napoleon III. To create it, François and Marie Blanc enlisted the finest architects and artists of the late 19th century, a legendary collaboration that has endured over time.
Today offers an opportunity to explore its architectural secrets and luxurious interiors, which blend history, art, and modernity.
Heritage Days 2025 Theme: 'Architectural Heritage—A Window to the Past, A Door to the Future.