A vast gallery in Empire style follows on from the Salles Touzet. It is decorated with high wood-panelling in mahogany with wall-lights of gilded bronze. We owe the ceiling to the talent of a French decorator of Italian origin, Alphonse Visconti (born on December 31st, 1856, in Milan – died June 15th, 1941). Visconti began working for the S.B.M on July 1st, 1900. Three years later, he became head of the decoration workshop at the Monte-Carlo Opera-House. In the 24 years that he devoted to the S.B.M., he was to work alongside Georges Geerts and the master of lighting effects, Eugène Frey.
A richly decorated elevator takes clients directly to the Cabaret.
The gallery leads into the large Salle Médecin. Originally, three large pictre-windows separated this room from the gallery.
Mahogany wall-panelling adorned with bronze palmettos, green Empire drapes, the Napoleonic ensemble in the last, immense room of the Casino (25.50 x 17.5 m, height 15 m), this room built in 1910 in Empire style by the Monégasque architect François Medecin could not allow an artist’s imagination go astray. The corner panels are delicate compositions of exquisite color and real finesse. Armand Segaud, a French painter (born on August 1st, 1985, in Moulins, Allier ) who regularly exhibited his work at the “Salon des Artistes Français” in Paris, of which he was a jury member, painted simple allegorical scenes symbolising the main times of the day : “Le Matin”, “Le Midi”, “Le Soir” and “La Nuit”. They are all 5.7 m high and 2 m wide. Segaud also contributed the four ceiling panels portraying women and cupids : “Apollon et les Muses”.
The French statuary sculptor, Emile Peynot (born on November 22nd, 1850, at Villeneuve-sur-Yonne – died December 13th, 1932, in Paris) made two large stucco quadriges in bas-relief portraying “Le Char de l’Amour, tiré par Quatre Chevaux” and “Le Char de la Nuit, tiré par Quatre Bœufs”. The bas-reliefs stand on a beam supported by two triangular motifs decorated with Victories blowing their horns.
This room originally played host to the Private Circle. It was restored by decorator André Levasseur and inaugurated on June 1st, 1973, in the presence of Prince Rainier III, then completely refurbished in 1988.
At the far end of the room, the restaurant “Les Privés” welcomes gourmet players between two rounds of Chemin de Fer, without their needing to leave the gaming rooms. Built by the architects Henry Labourdette and Roger Boileau on the large covered balcony of the Salle Médecin giving onto the station, it was inaugurated on March 20th, 1948. It was decorated in gold and crystal by the contemporary French master glass artist, Max Ingrand (1908–1969) in person : he was also the author of the motifs and indirect lighting. Ingrand had worked with the architect Edouard Niermans on the decoration of the large room in the Palais du Trocadéro, from 1935 to 1937. In 1973, it was redecorated by André Levasseur and, instead of descending, one henceforth had to climb 3 steps. In 1988, the restaurant’s furnishings were modified with the benchseats being removed to allow for enlargement of the windows : they were brought down to floor level to provide clients with a view. The restaurant’s most recent renovation dates back to 1998. Its three large picture-windows look out at Cap-Martin.
As for the bar, it was transferred to the site of the Super Privés. It has the same opening hours as the Salons Privés and may be entered after paying an admission fee.
