Summary
- Casinos Allowed: In France, casino gaming is entirely legal. This includes online gambling, sports and horse racing betting, and poker.
- Rising Revenue: In 2022, gross gaming revenue hit €12.9bn, an increase of 20% from the previous year. This included €2.96bn for online gambling.
- Top Tourist Nation: France welcomes more tourists than any other nation in the world. The tourism industry suffered the thrid highest losses following the 2020 pandemic with figures dropping from 90.9 million visitors in 2019 to 41.7 million in 2020. This figure rose to 48.4 million in 2021 and has continued to increase. In Q1 of 2023 tourism grew by 12.3% with hotel stays up by 7 million.
France is famous for its wonderful culture and beautiful countryside, and it's also the home of many of the world's most popular casino games. Francophiles planning a holiday have plenty of great hotels from which to pick, many with hotels within or just beyond the hotel door. Here are 10 of the best places to stay if you're a casino player traveling to France.
Hotel & Spa Le Pavillon
Charbonnières-les-Bains, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Pros & Cons:
- On-site casino.
- Luxurious place to stay and play.
- Only 10 regular live table games.
One of the Top Casinos in France
Hotel & Spa Le Pavillon, located just outside Lyon in Charbonnières-les-Bains, is first on our top 10 list of the best casino hotels in France. It offers guests a luxurious five star experience with sumptuous suites and, of course, its own land-based casino. France is famous for its elegant style and nowhere is this sense of taste more apparent than the hotel's culinary options. La Rotonde Restaurant is an Art Deco setting that presents the best gastronomic delights created by Michelin starred chef Jean-François Malle, while Sunday brunch is served at the aptly named Brunch du Pavillon. Or you can simply indulge in an aperitif at Le Bar du Pavillon.
The betting menu at the Casino of the West of Lyon is also one to delight guests. Open throughout the year, and operating from 10am to 4am, there are 275 of the best high payout slot machines with a maximum jackpot of close to €2m. There's also 127 electronic table games, split between roulette and blackjack, plus 10 regular live table games. These include a quartet of roulette tables, and three tables each for poker and blackjack. And if you fancy a quick visit to nearby Lyon there are plenty of intriguing sites to see, with one of the top 10 best being the 17th century abbey that houses the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon.
More Information
- Website: https://www.pavillon-rotonde.com/en
- Opening Times: 10 am to 4am (casino hours, hotel reception open 24/7)
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 3 Av. Georges Bassinet, 69260 Charbonnières-les-Bains, France
Hotel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes
Cannes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Pros & Cons:
- Private beach for guests.
- Fantastic cuisine to enjoy.
- Casinos nearby but not on-site.
Casino Hotel in Cannes
Another top hotel for casino players in France is the Hotel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes. This five star hotel is ideal for tourists who love the best European casinos, and has a private beach where guests can laze in the glorious Mediterranean sun to the gentle soundtrack of the water. Or you can get the blood pumping with some beach sports, if you're the more energetic sort. Visitors at this top 10 best France casino hotel have 349 rooms and suites from which to pick, and the dining options are extensive too with brasserie classics courtesy of Fouquet's, and gourmet Italian-inspired dishes served up at Paradiso Nicole and Pierre. Or you can just take your pick of the various champagnes available at the Rotonde Grande Dame (with more restaurants and bars to boot).
On the betting front, the hotel is well-placed as there are multiple France casinos within a short walking distance of the door. Head west and within a quarter of a mile you'll come to the extensive Casino Barrière Le Croisette, which has plenty of the best betting options (and there are numerous shops and restaurants close by). Eastward there's Casino De La Pointe Croisette and the Casino Barrière Les Princes.
More Information
- Website: https://www.hotelsbarriere.com/en/cannes/le-majestic.html
- Opening Times: 24/7
- Email: E-mail via form on website
- Address: 10, La Croisette, 06407 Cannes, France
Hôtel Barrière de Lille
Lille, Hauts-de-France
Pros & Cons:
- Delightful dining on-site.
- Theatrical venue within the hotel.
- Casino gaming available nearby but not on-site.
France's Leading Lille Casino Hotel
Located close to the Belgian border, the Hôtel Barrière de Lille offers a multiplicity of distractions to entertain guests who choose to travel to this excellent France casino hotel. One hundred and forty-two rooms and suites in stylish leather and wood await visitors at this top 10 best location, who can enjoy wonderful views of the city beyond. As one might expect at a France casino or hotel, the dining is exquisite, with the best gourmet fare prepared by Chef Anthony Pichon at the Hauts de Lille and regional specialties on the menu at the Park Terrace. In addition, there are numerous bars, including the Café des Sports.
The Casino Barrière Lille provides wagering distractions spread across two gaming floors, and is the largest France casino in the area. Reels fans have 310 slot machines to spin, and there are 20 gaming tables for those who consider the classic games the best (many of which, of course, originated in France). The casino is just one bonus of this top 10 pick, with another being the on-site theatrical venue that hosts a range of the best live performances including one man shows, dance both classical and contemporary, and French varieties.
More Information
- Website: https://www.hotelsbarriere.com/en/lille/hotel-barriere.html
- Opening Times: 24/7
- Email: E-mail via form on website
- Address: 777bis Pont de Flandres, 59777 Lille, France
Hôtel Mercure Nice Promenade des Anglais
Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Pros & Cons:
- Near to beautiful churches and the beach.
- Casino Barrière Le Ruhl Nice next door to the hotel.
- Rooms are somewhat dated.
Hotel for Beachgoers and Casino Fans
Nice is a beautiful city and one of the top 10 casino hotels in France can be found there: the Hôtel Mercure Nice Promenade des Anglais. This 11 floor hotel comes with spacious rooms that offer a range of pleasant views, from the sea to the city, and complimentary internet access so guests can stay in touch. And architecture fans are in for a treat, with top 10 sites such as Notre-Dame de l'Assomption Basilica and St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral both close at hand. Better yet, the hotel is within walking distance of the Promenade des Anglais, Casino Ruhl, and the beach.
If you fancy some gaming during your time in France, Casino Barrière Le Ruhl Nice is right next door to the hotel, which is eminently convenient for guests who fancy finding out if the wheel of fortune has turned their way. If spinning reels is what you like best there's a wide range of slots machines, and you can opt for a more formal table gaming experience too, especially if you enjoy the best blackjack casino games. France is famous for its live performances, and this top 10 best establishment also regularly hosts live entertainment, so if you seek a casino in France with cabaret this is just the ticket.
More Information
- Website: https://all.accor.com/hotel/0360/index.en.shtml
- Opening Times: 24/7
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 2 Rue Halévy, 06000 Nice, France
Imperial Palace
Annecy, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Pros & Cons:
- Natural beauty all around.
- Casino offers both slots and traditional gaming tables.
- Passport requested to enter casino (unless from Schengen area).
Opulent Eastern France Casino
Wonderful views of Lake Annecy can be admired with our next top 10 entry of the best casinos in France to stay and play. The Imperial Palace has spectacular and beautiful Edwardian architecture and is set between the lake, mountains, and a wooded park, presenting natural beauty in whatever direction one goes. Ninety bedrooms and 14 suites allow guests to stay in luxury. As ever in a casino stay in France, cuisine is a strong point and guests can take their pick from a quartet of on-site dining options. Refined and creative fare accompanied by views of Lake Annecy are available at La Voile, while the best traditional dishes are on the menu at La Brasserie. Meanwhile, seasonal food and Italian influences are yours at Le Riva, or you can visit the Hip Bar for cocktails and chic surroundings.
The adjoining Imperial Casino is open for betting every day of the week, from 10am to 2am on weekdays and 10am to 4am on Friday and Saturday. The slot machines are accessible right from doors open, while table games (including blackjack and poker) come into action from 8pm, making this eminently convenient for visitors to France after casino fun.
More Information
- Website: https://www.hotel-imperial-palace.com/en/casino-1212
- Opening Times: 10am to 2am, 4am Fri-Sat (casino hours)
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: All. de l'Impérial, 74000 Annecy, France
Hotel Barrière Le Normandy Deauville
Deauville, Normandy
Pros & Cons:
- Roaring Twenties architectural and culinary style.
- Multiple betting establishments nearby.
- No casino games within the hotel itself.
Delightful Deauville Destination
Enjoy a sophisticated stay in picturesque Deauville at the Hotel Barrière Le Normandy Deauville. The hotel's Anglo-Norman style comes with a variety of bars and chic brasseries. Mahogany armchairs and fine china accompany the best regional dishes and recent catches prepared at La Belle Epoque, while chandeliers and a roaring Twenties vibe come with refined brasserie fare at Côté Royal. There are plenty more dining options, and many restaurants in the local area if you happen to be exploring, and those partaking in a spot of betting might wish to visit the Cercle, which also has a menu of seasonal delights. The beach is just a short walk north, while southward is the Deauville-La Touques Racecourse. But closer than both is the Casino Barrière.
In addition to the bars and restaurants, the casino is home to a small theater with entertaining live performances. While it doesn't offer a no deposit bonus, when it comes to wagering there are slots galore and beautiful poker rooms or card sharks can opt to try their hand at blackjack instead.
More Information
- Website: https://www.hotelsbarriere.com/en/deauville/le-normandy.html
- Opening Times: 24/7
- Email: E-mail via form on website
- Address: 38 Rue Jean Mermoz, 14800 Deauville, France
Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée
Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Pros & Cons:
- Perfect five star luxury.
- Casino Du Palais De La Méditerranée next door.
- Relatively few table games at the casino.
A Pair of Casinos in France's Riviera
It's a case of Nice by name, nice by nature with our next top 10 best hotel in France for casino players. The Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée offers a five star experience in the heart of Nice, mere steps away from the city center and with the best views of the Mediterranean which can also be enjoyed from the hotel's Le 3e restaurant and bar. There are 187 guestrooms and suites, including a penthouse suite, and a sauna and Turkish bath where all your troubles can soak away. Swimmers can stay in shape either in the sea or the hotel pool, with a fitness center for those who prefer a gym workout.
Right next door to the hotel is the Casino Du Palais De La Méditerranée, which boasts more than 200 of the best slot machines and electronic games, in addition to seven traditional table games for those who prefer to keep things old school. Roulette, blackjack, and poker are all on the table, and if you fancy a change of setting then the Casino Barrière Le Ruhl Nice is a short walk away.
More Information
- Website: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/france/hyatt-regency-nice-palais-de-la-mediterranee/ncehr
- Opening Times: 24/7
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 13 Prom. des Anglais, 06000 Nice, France
Hôtel Barrière Le Royal La Baule
La Baule-Escoublac, Pays de la Loire
Pros & Cons:
- Tennis, swimming, and horse riding all accessible.
- Casino Barrière La Baule very close by.
- Rooms a little on the small side.
A Great French Location for Gambling Fans
Visitors to the northwest of France can take advantage of staying at our next entry on the top 10 best casino hotels in France, the Hôtel Barrière Le Royal La Baule. Keen swimmers can take their pick of indoor and outdoor pools, with the beach and sea not far off either (with the option to take a horse for a canter along the sand). Another local sporting diversion is the two and half dozen courts of the Tennis Country Club Barrière La Baule. The immense Brière Natural Regional Park nature reserve is the best place to stretch your legs in the great outdoors, taking in fresh air and seeing the local wildlife. Closer still is the Casino Barrière La Baule, a few steps south of the hotel.
Players in France will find Casino Barrière La Baule has more than 200 slots to spin, and there's on-site dining at the casino's restaurant, with a bar for those who want a little liquid refreshment. Additional distractions include poker machines, electronic roulette, and electronic blackjack. Of course, players can still just stay at the hotel and enjoy some of the top online casinos for French players which include Cresus Casino, Wild Sultan Casino and Tortuga Casino.
More Information
- Website: https://www.hotelsbarriere.com/en/la-baule/le-royal.html
- Opening Times: 24/7
- Email: Contact via e-mail form on website
- Address: 6 Av. Pierre Loti, 44504 La Baule-Escoublac, France
JW Marriott Cannes
Cannes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Pros & Cons:
- Luxury shops and refined restaurants nearby.
- Casino Barrière Les Princes within the hotel.
- Casino is on the small side.
Casino Barrière Les Princes
A sophisticated stay awaits at the JW Marriott Cannes hotel, on the renowned Cote d'Azur. The local area has not only gambling delights but a plethora of the best restaurants and plenty of opportunities to indulge in retail therapy at the luxury shops nearby. The fitness center and outdoor pool present the chance to burn off some steam, while those after refreshments can find them at the rooftop bar, or the authentic steakhouse restaurant. And the beach is just a few steps from the hotel door, making this the best place to stay if you want to lie back with a book or some music and let the sun work on your tan.
The Casino Barrière Les Princes is located within the hotel, and has all the game varieties a player could hope for, with a quiet, discreet atmosphere. The staff are friendly and professional, and games include electronic roulette and blackjack, plus many slot machines for those eager for a jackpot win. A larger version is available a short distance to the west of the hotel, at the Casino Barriere Le Croisette.
More Information
- Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/ncejw-jw-marriott-cannes/overview/
- Opening Times: 24/7
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 50 Bd de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes, France
Resort Barrière Ribeauvillé
Ribeauvillé, Grand Est
Pros & Cons:
- Relax at the vineyards and sauna.
- Hundreds of slots at Casino Barrière.
- Only 10 table games to enjoy.
Casino Resort Amid Vineyards
Nature and culture combine at Resort Barrière Ribeauvillé, our final top 10 entry and undoubtably one of the best casinos in Europe. Nestled amid the pleasant greenery of vineyards, the casino vacation resort delivers comfort, from the Finnish sauna to the understated mineral tones of the interior décor. Guests can get away from it all and have the most relaxing of stays in the Alsace plains. Fifty-six rooms and suites are available, all providing a combination of space and chic style inspired by the natural beauty of the local environment. Two on-site restaurants provide culinary convenience, with the Brasserie offering the best French fare and regional specialties, and a la carte compositions served up at the Belvédère. The local area is great for oenophiles, thanks to all the vineyards/wineries, and golfers have just a 25 minute drive to reach the Golf d'Ammerschwihr-Trois-Épis.
Nature is splendid, but sometimes the excitement of the casino is hard to beat, and the resort's betting establishment, Casino Barrière, provides plenty. Musicians and singers regularly perform live, and there are three bars plus a restaurant. The gaming distractions include 200 slots and electronic table games such as blackjack and roulette which often have the best odds and payouts. For a wonderful stay in France with casino distractions, there's nowhere better.
More Information
- Website: https://www.hotelsbarriere.com/en/ribeauville/resort-barriere.html
- Opening Times: 24/7
- Email: E-mail via form on website
- Address: Route départementale 106, 68150 Ribeauvillé, France
Conclusion
That concludes our top 10 best hotels in France for casino players. Dotted across the country, there's something for just about everyone, and the uniformly excellent food is a pretty nice bonus too. Beyond the casino doors are a diverse array of attractions to satisfy the desires of art lovers and oenophiles, with cathedrals, chateaux, and castles aplenty in addition to galleries and museums without equal.
