Casino of Challes-les-Eaux

The Casino de Challes-les-Eaux is a historic casino and theatre located in the spa town of Challes-les-Eaux, in the Savoie department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. It was constructed in 1883 on the site of former marshland, built on pilings according to plans by the architects Pelaz and Charmot, on what is now Avenue Louis Domenget. The building was designed to serve the thermal spa clientele that frequented the town. During the First World War, although Savoie was a neutral zone and the casino was not requisitioned, its owner Marius Fougerolle agreed to convert the establishment into a military hospital. The "Hôpital Temporelle Fougerolle No 172 Bis" opened on 7 September 1914 with a capacity of 100 beds, but closed on 1 December 1916 due to its remoteness and low occupancy. After the American entry into the war, the casino became a rest and recreation venue for American soldiers, and a plaque was later installed to thank the people of Challes for their hospitality. In the Second World War, the casino was requisitioned on 1 September 1939 to serve as offices for the General Staff, then occupied by refugees the following year. It was closed in 1941 and 1942, requisitioned by Nazi forces in 1944, and used by French troops after the liberation of Challes-les-Eaux on 22 August 1944. It reopened for the 1945 spa season. On 2 April 1987, the Carré family took over the management of the casino, whose offerings at the time were limited to two discotheques, a game of boule, and a bar. Slot machines were added in 1991, and a restaurant, Le Castel Gourmand, opened in 1997. Today the casino employs 40 people and continues to operate as a gaming and entertainment venue in the town.

The Casino de Challes-les-Eaux was built in 1883 on the site of marshland that formed part of the territory of Challes-les-Eaux. The building was constructed on pilings according to plans drawn by the architects Pelaz and Charmot. It is located on what is now Avenue Louis Domenget in the commune. During the First World War, on 3 August 1914, war was declared. All buildings that could be transformed into military hospitals were requisitioned, but Savoie was part of a neutrality zone, as was Haute-Savoie following the Congress of Vienna and the treaty of 20 November 1815. Consequently, the casino was not requisitioned, but its owner, Marius Fougerolle, gave his agreement to transform the establishment into a military hospital. Thus the "Hôpital Temporelle Fougerolle No 172 Bis" opened on 7 September 1914 with a capacity of 100 beds. It closed on 1 December 1916 due to its remoteness and low attendance. Following the American entry into the war, the casino became a leave centre for American soldiers. A plaque was affixed at the end of the war to thank the people of Challes for the welcome given to American soldiers during the conflict. In the interwar period, the casino continued its activities. On 1 September 1939, the Second World War broke out. The casino was then requisitioned to serve as offices for the General Staff, then occupied by refugees the following year. It was subsequently closed in 1941 and 1942. In 1944, it was requisitioned by the Nazis and then used by French troops after the liberation of Challes-les-Eaux on 22 August 1944. The casino was reopened for the 1945 spa season. In the contemporary period, on 2 April 1987, the Carré family took over the management of the casino, whose offering was limited at the time to two discotheques, a game of boule, and a bar. Slot machines were added to the casino's offerings in 1991, and a restaurant, Le Castel Gourmand, opened in 1997 in the establishment. Today the casino employs 40 people.

• 1997

  Restaurant Le Castel Gourmand opened.

• 1991

  Slot machines added.

• 1987

  Carré family took over management on 2 April.

• 1945

  Reopened for the spa season.

• 1944

  Requisitioned by Nazi forces; used by French troops after liberation on 22 August.

• 1941

  Casino closed.

• 1939

  Requisitioned on 1 September to serve as offices for the General Staff.

• 1916

  Military hospital closed on 1 December due to remoteness and low attendance.

• 1914

  Opened as military hospital 'Hôpital Temporelle Fougerolle No 172 Bis' on 7 September with 100 beds.

• 1883

  Casino built on marshland on pilings according to plans by architects Pelaz and Charmot.

Historic spa-town casino and entertainment venue in Savoie, offering gaming, dining, and live entertainment.

• Casino gaming

• Theatre

• Le Castel Gourmand restaurant

• Discotheques

• Slot machines

• Boule game

1. 1Casino of Challes-les-Eaux - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Casino de Challes-les-Eaux - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org