Monte Carlo Cigar Club: A New Chapter In Monegasque Elegance

Inside the Casino de Monte Carlo, there is a new space where history, craftsmanship, and the ritual of the cigar come together. The Monte Carlo Cigar Club occupies approximately 200 square metres on the first floor of the casino, within the former office of François Blanc, the founder of Société des Bains de Mer. Opened in 2025, the private club was conceived as a destination for cigar enthusiasts, combining an intimate atmosphere with the unmistakable sense of occasion that defines Monte Carlo.

Havana Meets the Riviera

The interiors by Moinard Bétaille draw from two distinct worlds. The warmth and colour of Havana meet the light and elegance of the French Riviera, creating a palette of tobacco brown, bronze, red, blue, and pink. Rather than turning these references into something overly thematic, the designers have translated them through materials, proportions, and carefully controlled details. The result feels deeply connected to its location while maintaining its own identity.

Material in the Spotlight

Wood, patinated leather, marble, brass, and onyx give the club a rich tactile quality. Deep brown walls and parquet floors recall the changing colours of tobacco leaves, while the long onyx bar becomes one of the room’s defining architectural elements. Bespoke furniture and leather seating create a setting designed for lingering conversations, with lighting used subtly to reveal textures rather than overwhelm them. Every material contributes to the atmosphere, giving the interiors a sense of depth that becomes particularly striking in the softer light of the smoking lounge.

The Humidor as Architecture

One of the most distinctive elements is the walk in humidor, designed specifically for the club and created by specialist company DeArt. Housing a collection of more than 35,000 cigars, it is far more than a storage space. Carefully controlled conditions protect the cigars, while custom furnishings turn the collection itself into part of the visual experience. The relationship between craftsmanship and function becomes particularly clear here, with technical precision quietly supporting the theatrical quality of the room.

A Ritual of Slowness

The club is ultimately designed around the experience of taking time. Its smoking lounge, library, bar, and terrace create a sequence of spaces that encourages guests to move slowly between conversation, tasting, and discovery. Cigar sommeliers guide members through pairings with whisky, cognac, rum, port, coffee, and chocolate, turning the cigar into part of a broader ritual of hospitality. The terrace extends this experience outdoors, opening onto views of the Mediterranean, Casino Square, and the Hôtel de Paris.

The New Monte Carlo

What makes the Monte Carlo Cigar Club interesting as an interior is the way it connects the mythology of Monte Carlo with something more intimate. Its setting carries the weight of the casino’s history, yet the club itself feels deliberately removed from the spectacle outside. Through rich materials, subdued lighting, craftsmanship, and a strong sense of place, Moinard Bétaille have created an environment where heritage feels contemporary rather than preserved behind glass. It is a space built around a very old idea, the pleasure of slowing down, given a distinctly modern Monegasque expression.