EVIAN-LES-BAINS – The casino – an emblem of Evian since 1911 and a legacy of the Art nouveau style – unveils its transformation after two years of renovation work. The slot machines once again take their place beneath the dome, which has been magnificently restored. This dome is now also home to Le Cercle, a bar open to players and non-players alike.
The renovated casino now offers residents and visiting tourists a new and improved entertainment space.
The façade’s rebirth
With the improvements brought by recent work, the casino offers an air of modernity whilst at the same time celebrating the history of the art which characterizes the building. A major project was designed in two phases and entrusted to the architect Philippe Prost.
The first phase, which began at the end of 2021, focused on the exterior façade, the complete renovation of the entrance hall and the creation of an Italian restaurant, Umberto.
The façade is beautifully enhanced and one of Evian’s iconic buildings is once again fully visible.
“The new façade reveals a moving, deep and calming architecture, powerful without being oppressive” explains Philippe Prost. To achieve this, he drew on the relationship with the lake, with its calming horizontality. This gives rise to a soothing architecture.
The façade is characterized by a transparency that entices one to enter and a curved structure which echoes the horizontality of neighboring Lake Geneva. An invitation which extends into the spacious entrance hall, the entry point to various experiences and different leisure activities.
The second phase is now completed with a modernized sign revealing illuminated white letters rising above a large glass roof, again inviting everyone to come in to explore the renovated interior. One of the major stages in this second phase of work concerned the restoration of the majestic dome, which is now home to slot machines and the new Le Cercle bar.
This painstaking work brought together a distinctive heritage and an ambitious architectural project, marking a new chapter in the Casino’s history, which began over a century ago.
Restoration of the historic dome
The Casino’s 25-metre dome underwent seven months of renovation work managed by Atelier de Ricou, renowned for its intricate work on heritage listed buildings, including at the Château de Versailles.
The frescoes by Gustave-Louis Jaulmes – previously obscured by a stretched canvas which hid the works – have been restored to their former glory, showcasing the golden arches and painted friezes. This restoration involved 4,000 hours of work to bring out the exceptional character of the space and its décor.
The slot machines are now installed here, in addition to those on the ground floor. And unusually, players at Evian will be able to enjoy the natural light which filters through the windows of the dome. Light will enter in very different ways throughout the day, depending on the position of the sun.
Le Cercle: A new bar beneath the dome
The restored dome is now home to the slot machines and Le Cercle, a welcoming place for spending time with others. This contemporary bar is open to both players and non-players and promises to be a favored meeting point at any time of the day or night, to enjoy a coffee, a refreshing drink, to sample a wide range of cocktails and whiskies, or have a bite to eat.
The name of the bar pays homage to the Casino’s origins, which worked like a circle, that is, as a meeting place where visiting tourists were admitted upon subscription and by recommendation. Though this exclusivity has now been discarded, the idea of coming together remains intact.
Next stage: La Terrasse du Baron
The Casino continues its innovations with the opening in July of La Terrasse du Baron, a contemporary French brasserie serving perch fillets from Lake Geneva, steak tartar prepared at the table, and desserts made for sharing.
At its location, a stylish vantage point overlooking Lake Geneva, this new venue will welcome everyone, reinforcing Evian Casino’s vocation of being a leisure and entertainment space offering a multitude of unique and memorable experiences.
Evian Casino is more than just a gaming venue, becoming a social and cultural venue, inviting residents and tourists to explore its many newly enhanced aspects.
Evian Casino
At the end of the 1870’s, the Baron of Blonay, at that time Mayor of the Evian, a renowned spa town and fashionable holiday destination, bequeathed his family château to the town for the purpose of creating a casino. He wanted this new venture to replace the makeshift casino, previously housed in a chalet on the edge of town. A theatre was added in 1885, before the complete rebuilding of the Casino in 1911 by the architect Jean-Albert Hébrard who created a building with distinctive architecture topped with a Byzantine-inspired dome.
Today the Casino offers a huge entertainment space with 190 slot machines, 22 electronic roulette machines, 7 electronic blackjack machines, 9 traditional games tables, 5 bars and restaurants, private reception rooms and a historic theatre, a masterpiece of neoclassical art.
Evian Casino is France’s 20th largest casino. Access to the gaming areas (slot machines and table games), the Le Cercle bar and the Baccara restaurant is restricted to over 18-year-olds and persons who are not on the casino exclusion list, on presentation of a valid ID document.
Evian Resort
Located within grounds extending over 240 acres, the Evian Resort comprises three hotels (Hôtel Royal ***** Palace, Hôtel Ermitage **** and La Verniaz ****), 2 hotel spas and Les Thermes evian, Evian Resort Golf Club with its Academy and two courses, a Kids Resort, a concert hall (La Grange au Lac), and a casino with a theatre. All the activities of Evian Resort are located in the communes of Evian-les-Bains, Neuvecelle and Publier. The Evian Resort is part of the Danone group and its history is inextricably linked with that of the Evian Mineral Water Company.
The article Evian Casino restored and new bar, Le Cercle unveiled first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.