World Travel Guide for Gamblers: France
France, land of bakery goods, wine and cheese, only legalized online casino in 2010. This may explain some of the reasons why Paris has had 8 land-based casinos operating at one time. True it is easier to get your gaming fix nowadays, but there is nothing like a trip to one of Frances best casinos.
There are between 170-180 land-based casinos in France; this tells us that the French do love to play! The country is often known as the cultural home of casinos because it has some of the oldest, and the most successful casinos in Europe.
PARIS CASINOS
There are more casinos in Paris than there are in any other European city, although up to half of them have closed in the last 10 years. The French love their poker with many international tournaments hosted here! Go with the flow and enjoy a table game and some exquisite French wine and scenery and you’ll have a great night out.
Casino Barrière – d’Enghien-Les- Bains
Opening hours: 10.00am – 4.00am
Score: 9.5/10
An Impressive entrance of glass windows from floor to ceiling welcomes you to the d’Enghien-Les- Bains casino. This place has it all, almost. Three bars and two restaurants, a concert venue that is always showing something, an exquisite hotel and wellness center and spa, you could indulge here! They have a nice number of table games including the favorite and Sic Bo and Punto Banco, they have up to 500 slot machines, Video Poker and Electronic Roulette.
If this casino offered poker as well it would be a 10/10, sadly, no poker tables here, but the rest is pure quality.
Cercle Anglais
Opening hours: 3.00pm – 6.00am
Score: 6.5/10
Located right near the Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, this is a pretty small casino, but one that is open until 6 am, a couple more hours after others have closed.
It only has around five table games and four poker tables, this casino doesn’t even have its own website, call it recluse, or simply intriguing, either way, it’s a nice little Paris casino to explore. Its lovely green building sits in the heart of Paris waiting for you to stumble upon its door.
Cercle Central
Opening hours:7.30pm – 7.00am
Score: 7.5/10
No slot machines here but great perks. If you become a member here for €100 for the year you will receive unlimited free drinks whilst you play. They have table games of Punto Banco, Baccarat and Multicolor, 6 poker tables and poker tournaments on Sundays.
This casino has been established for over 50 years, and though the furnishings show it in its wood and brass features, this establishment is authentic Paris Gaming at its very best.
Association Cercle Eldo
A very small Paris casino with not the most inviting of entrances, it does have 6 table games and 5 cash poker games. There is also a bar inside for refreshments, Open from 2 pm daily.
Cercle Clichy Montmartre
A small but lovely looking casino which as well as a number of table games and poker, offer up to 16 billiard tables! No slot machines here and cash games start at 4 pm every day.
The south of France is a great spot for gaming and nightlife, the whole of the Provence-Alpes- Côte d’Azur along the coast is bustling, and there are plenty of casinos in cities like Nice, Marseille, and Toulon. But let’s concentrate on the main three in that star-studded town of Cannes.
CANNES CASINOS
Casino Palm Beach
Opening hours: 1.00pm – 3.00am
Score: 7.5/10
Even though there are only 75 slot machines in this casino, the number of table games tips the scale at 19! However, if you are poker lover, you can only play in July and August when the casino offers the game. Enjoyment at this casino really depends on what you are there to play; however, the scenery and location are divine.
They do have a wonderful restaurant called 1929, which has a lovely terrace open in the summer and live music every Friday and Saturday, September until June.
Le Croisette – Casino Barrière de Cannes
Opening hours:1.00pm – 3.00am
Score: 10/10
Cannes’ largest casino, the Casino Barrière le Croisette is impressive and sparkly. Not just a casino they also run a hotel and spa, some stunning restaurant and bar options. A visit here is a complete night out. This casino boasts almost 250 slot machines, ranging from 1c to €10. They run Texas Hold‘em and Omaha poker from 3 pm each day, poker tournaments, and their live table games are Blackjack and Roulette or Electronic Roulette. No faults.
Les Princes – Casino Barrière de Cannes
Opening hours:1.00pm – 3.00am
Score: 9/10
Call it the little sister of Le Croisette Casino, this casino loses a few points for size, but it is just as inviting as the larger version in the same city. This one is right on the waterfront and also has great dining options. As far as games go, poker players miss out, as there are no poker tables here. They do offer games of English Roulette, Live Blackjack, Baccarat and Punto Banco, they have around 100 slot machines, or Machines à sous, to play.
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