Month: May 2020

I visited the city Évian-les-Bains in France in the spring of 2012. This resort, located on the shores of Lake Geneva in the foothills of the Alps has become famous throughout the world for its drinking water under the brand name “Evian”. It is here that the springs flow and the water is bottled then distributed throughout the planet known as the best drink for humans. From Russia to Australia, Evian was superior and one of the most expensive drinks. And residents and guests of Évian-les-Bains could enjoy this life-giving moisture in any quantity for free – it flowed freely from a spring right through the center of the city.

I stayed at Évian-les-Bains for about a week. The windows of my hotel room were located in the city center overlooking the lake. Swiss Losanna was visible in the other side. As well, the old building of the Royal Casino was located on the waterfront about a 200 meter walk away. During the day I explored the city and the surrounding area and spent evenings playing cards and roulette in the casino.

While I was playing at the Royal casino the management decided to give me a gift. Aware of my hobby they presented antique badges for my collection.  These silver plates were used in casinos about a hundred years ago:

Over time casinos in the city of Évian-les-Bains had different names.  Initially, like most other casinos in France it was municipal, and had the name “Casino Municipal De Evian les Bains”.  In simple language, все it had often been called and is still called – “Casino Evian”. In the early twentieth century, the casino became part of a single complex Evian Royal Resort with the first French five-star hotel Royal. The casino had also become known as “Casino Royal Evian” or simply “Casino Royal”. In 2012, Royal Casino used chips from Bourgogne et Grasset.  These were jetons, classic in Western Europe, made of “mother-of-pearl” homogeneous material.  The brightness and contrast of the colors of the chips immediately fascinated me. Royal Casino chips have become one of my favorites. I especially liked the chips worth 1000 euros, but I still do not dare to leave them in my collection.

Here are the chips used in the 21st century:

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I traveled a lot in France. This romantic country attracted me with its interesting history, beautiful nature, delicious food and a casino. In fact, there was a casino in every small resort town of France. Therefore, I traveled all over France far and wide.

The longest time I stayed was in the small town of Le Grande Motte, located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. This is a very green city with original architecture and layout (is a national treasure of France). The casino, part of the large Partouche gambling network, was located near the promenade.

Casino Grande Motte was open only at night. Every day I was the first client to enter it’s door and the last player to leave the casino early in the morning. I met all the casino staff, I knew all the abid player by their names. I became friends with one local player named Olivier and we spent time with him at the tables of the Grande Motte casino. He sincerely did not understand how is it possible to avoid drinking French wine (I do not drink alcohol in principle), and I also sincerely didn’t understand how he can play blackjack so terribly.

One of the most memorable stories is connected with this: Once we played together with Olivier in blackjack and at the end of the game I made several large bets of 500 euros each. Olivier standardly bet 10 euros on the last box. The croupier put himself a 6 (this is good for the player) and I added some more money to the table, making split and double. Olivier, having 7 points on his cards, did not take the card. The croupier put himself 5 and then 10, scoring 21 points and beating me for about 4,000 euros. Lost and Olivier their 10 euros. His game strategy cost me dearly! He had to take a card for 7 points! But each player decides for himself, not in my rules to advise other guests what to do.

I spent at Grande Motte for about a month. I didn’t wanted to leave, because of the calm, good-natured atmosphere, clean air and measured life. Plus, I won pretty well at the casino. I even considered moving to Grande Motte. And, who knows, maybe someday I will do so…

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