Café de Paris

You are on Place du Casino, in front of the Café de Paris, facing the Hôtel de Paris and beside the Casino. These three buildings were born together: the café was founded in 1868, when François Blanc and Prince Charles III launched Monte Carlo. It was originally called the Café Divan. It was altered several times up to the 1930s, then completely renovated in 1988 in the style of Belle Époque Parisian bistros. A further 19-month renovation was completed in November 2023. Like its neighbours, the café belongs to the Société des Bains de Mer, and it also houses gaming rooms. A tasty story is attached to it: in 1895 a young waiter, Henri Charpentier, is said to have invented crêpes Suzette here by accidentally setting fire to a dessert intended for the Prince of Wales. He told the story himself, but other versions exist and the dessert’s origin is still debated. Pause for a moment on the square: from here you can see the Casino, the Hôtel de Paris and the parade of cars all at once.

History

The Café de Paris is as old as Monte Carlo. It was founded in 1868, as the new district took shape around the Casino and the Hôtel de Paris, driven by François Blanc, founder of the Société des Bains de Mer, and Prince Charles III. Its first name was the Café Divan.

Over the decades the establishment was transformed several times, up to the 1930s. In 1988 it was completely renovated in a Belle Époque style inspired by old Parisian bistros. More recently, after 19 months of work, it reopened on 14 November 2023. It still belongs to the Société des Bains de Mer.

Art and architecture

The building closes one side of Place du Casino and answers the more monumental facades of the Casino and the Hôtel de Paris. Its decor openly embraces the Parisian reference: large terraces, a brasserie atmosphere, evening lights.

On the first floor, the Bellevue room offers about 340 m² overlooking the square. The establishment also houses a casino, with gaming rooms decorated in a theme inspired by the historic Monaco Grands Prix.

Since the renovation completed in 2023, the café can welcome up to 500 people indoors and up to 200 on the terrace. These adaptable terraces, facing the Casino, have always been its signature: they let you watch the life of the square, from morning walkers to evening outings, just as people did in front of the great Parisian cafés in the Belle Époque.

Anecdotes

The most famous legend of the place concerns crêpes Suzette. In his memoirs, Henri Charpentier says that in 1895, as a young waiter at the Café de Paris, he accidentally set fire to the sauce of a dessert prepared for the Prince of Wales, the future Edward VII. The result was a success, and the prince supposedly suggested naming the dessert after a young guest, Suzette.

The story is appealing but disputed. Reference works such as the Larousse Gastronomique doubt that such a young waiter would have served the prince, and another tradition links the dessert’s name to a Parisian actress. So treat it as a tale rather than an established fact.

What to look for

Stand at the edge of the square to take in the Casino, the Hôtel de Paris and the Café de Paris in a single glance: this is the historic heart of Monte Carlo, designed as a whole. In the evening, the illuminated facades and the coming and going of cars give the square its very particular atmosphere.

Practical

The café is on Place du Casino, a few steps from the gardens. According to the official website, it is usually open every day from 8 am to 1 am. The square and the facade are freely accessible. Entry to the gaming rooms is subject to age and identity requirements: check the Société des Bains de Mer website.

Nearby

All around you: the Casino and the Opera, the Hôtel de Paris, the Hôtel Hermitage and the Casino gardens. On the question of crêpes Suzette, encyclopedia articles about the dessert set out the different versions.

Test yourself

Sources

• Wikipédia : Café de Paris (Monte-Carlo)
• Wikipedia: Café de Paris (Monaco)
• Monte-Carlo SBM : Café de Paris Monte-Carlo
• OpenStreetMap : Café de Paris

Information checked on 30 September 2026.