Casino de Paris Casino / Concert Venue

If you're in the mood for gambling, don't head to Casino de Paris; despite its name, this space is devoted to shows – concerts, comics, magicians, children's theater, and more – as it has been for nearly three centuries.

Around since 1730, Casino de Paris has offered spectators everything from fireworks displays to wrestling matches, a cinema and a skating rink. 1919 goes down in history as the year it hosted the world's first-ever nude revue, and between the First and Second World Wars stars like Josephine Baker and Tino Rossi took to the stage. After France's liberation, some productions at Casino de Paris were so popular as to show for two years straight. However, one low point in its chronology was between 1980 and 1982, when elevated ticket prices scared off customers, causing Casino de Paris to close its doors temporarily.

Today, the well-oiled machine runs smoothly, with more recent performances at Casino de Paris including Marianne Faithfull, Vanessa Paradis, Axelle Red, CocoRosie, Crystal Castles, Air, Alain Souchon, the Glenn Miller Memorial Orchestra, Moscow ballet's Swan Lake, musical comedy Shrek, Hairspray, and Stomp.

Escaping the bustling street, visitors enter directly into a majestic salon; dozens of crystal chandeliers dangle from the gold-leafed ceiling. Just as refined and warm is the red-swathed performance space, which can accommodate more than 2,000 people between the orchestra and balcony.