February 2026. Monte Carlo. Monaco.
Apart from the fast cars on small roads, you’ll know Monaco best for the curry caffs casinos, where we headed now from the shops.
You’ll know you’ve reached the gambling quarter when you see the posh cars on display in a big square.
Sadly, my Toyota Aygo was nowhere to be seen.
The Place du Casino is a genuinely beautiful square,
Unfortunately THE casino (it’s called “Le”, which is French for “The”, matey) has scaffolding up, so here’s a nice pic from their website.
I’m no fan of gambling, only went in that Las Vegas place for cheap homebrew, but Le Casino is a stunning building.
So gorgeous Mrs RM was almost tempted to stick around till 2pm opening (bloomin’ micro hours) and pay the 20 euros admission fee to see the roulette wheels or whatever.
But the dress code looked a bit restictive,
and the burger picture reminded us we hadn’t eaten.
And we weren’t eating in the casino, either, but Mrs RM was determined that I should get an Untappd check-in at the even more ornate Hôtel de Paris across the square.
I checked the prices.
Actually, ChatGPT rather overplays its hand; it’s more like 21 euros your Heineken in the American Bar, which presumably is what TuborgTyven spent on his Untappd check-in.
I hope there’s a lot of free nuts.
retiredmartin 
Well, the buildings are pretty.
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With all those restrictions, are you sure Humphrey doesn’t own the casino?
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He is a very rich man, so maybe Scott.
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“Un bouteille de Stingo, si vous plait. COMBIEN? Merde!”
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I like the way the “interdit” notice is translated into Monagasque. I now know 10 more words in that language than I did before reading your blog.
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Monaco used to be nice before it was colonised by immigrants.
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“CASINO NO-ALE”
(looks up)
(half a slow golf clap)
“You’ll know you’ve reached the gambling quarter when you see the posh cars on display in a big square.”
If you’ve got it, flaunt it.
“Sadly, my Toyota Aygo was nowhere to be seen.”
There’s the other half of the (slow golf clap).
“but Le Casino is a stunning building.”
(looks up, and down)
Both inside and outside.
“So gorgeous Mrs RM was almost tempted to stick around till 2pm opening (bloomin’ micro hours) and pay the 20 euros admission fee to see the roulette wheels or whatever.”
Blimey! Things have changed a bit. Pretty sure I went into the gaming area 45 years ago and don’t remember a fee. Sheesh!
“But the dress code looked a bit restictive,”
Now THAT I do remember. I had one ‘good’ outfit for such things. Used it at Moulin Rouge in Paris as well.
“but Mrs RM was determined that I should get an Untappd check-in at the even more ornate Hôtel de Paris across the square.”
(mutters, location, location, location under his breath)
Actually, ChatGPT rather overplays its hand; it’s more like 21 euros your Heineken in the American Bar, which presumably is what TuborgTyven spent on his Untappd check-in.”
(looks down)
He’s having the Monte Carlo Blonde. You could’ve taken the one from your hotel room, ordered a water, and drank it (and tapped it!) there!
“I hope there’s a lot of free nuts.”
I think those are only in the American casinos, and I’m not talking a hard-shelled dry fruit or seed). **
Cheers
** – funny how you can swap nuts or fruits and in certain contexts, they’ll have the same meaning 😉
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One thing you get in Italy and Spain is a lot of free stuff. Cafe Tampa asked Mrs RM if she wanted a croissant with her coffee assuming it was five euros, but I think it would have been a freebie left over from the morning.
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I have to admit, that rings a bell from my backpacking days in 80/81. The farther south you were, the more relaxed things were; and got more expensive the further north you went. I couldn’t afford to eat red meat while in Norway and Sweden.
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That’s about right. But when we went to see the Northern Lights in Tromso 3 winters ago we paid £20 for a burger our lad called the best he’d ever had, and you won’t pay a lot less than that in the UK now. Also eastern Europe wasn’t quite the bargain you might guess, though quality was unexpectedly high. Things tend to equalise.
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Martin, your lad could pay £2 for a burger from the Mr Sizzle trailer in Stafford’s Market Square but he wouldn’t say it’s the best he’d ever had.
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“Things tend to equalise.”
You took the words right out of my mouth (and thankfully, left the meatloaf). 😁
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I’m fairly sure some folk have checked-in water !
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They have to stand in a pan of H2O just to get a key to their room? 😁
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Yes to banning all “sloppy tracksuits.” I hate gambling but that building is incredible!
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