Casino Municipal de Beaucaire

Casino Municipal de Beaucaire is a historic town theatre in the centre of Beaucaire, in the Gard department of southern France, standing on the Champ de Foire, the town's former fairground square. Despite the name, it was never a gambling house — in 19th-century France, "casino" was simply the word used for a public entertainment hall or theatre.

Why is a theatre called a "casino"?

Before the current stone building existed, a wooden pavilion was erected on the same spot every year for the town's entertainment season, then dismantled or left to fall apart once the season ended — a common practice in market towns of the region at the time. Beaucaire's authorities decided to put an end to that cycle, and in 1893 approved plans for a permanent theatre. Construction didn't actually begin until 1897, and once finished, the Casino Municipal quickly became the town's main stage.

What has the building seen over more than a century?

From its earliest seasons, the hall was a hub of activity: theatre plays, singers, operettas and events staged by local associations all passed through its doors. During the First World War, its role shifted — the venue was used mainly for film screenings, a common adaptation for provincial theatres of the period, when audiences turned to cinema closer to home. After the war ended, the Casino returned to its original theatrical purpose, a role it has kept ever since, regularly lent out to the area's cultural and community associations.

What can you see there today?

The Casino Municipal is still a working performance venue — it hosts shows from Beaucaire's cultural season, concerts, and productions by local theatre groups. The building has kept the character of a turn-of-the-century French municipal theatre: a rectangular hall, a balconied auditorium, and a stage originally built to serve both live performance and, for a time, film projection. It's worth a look not just for the interior itself, but for the atmosphere — the Casino still fulfils the same community role it has held for well over a hundred years.

How do you get there and when should you go?

The Casino Municipal stands right in the centre of Beaucaire, on the Champ de Foire, an easy walk from Beaucaire Castle and the banks of the Rhône, so a visit pairs naturally with a stroll through the old town. Beaucaire lies around 25 km from Nîmes and under 15 km from Tarascon, making it an easy stop by car or local public transport. Since this is a working venue rather than a museum, the best time to visit is on an evening when a show from the town's cultural programme is actually on — check the local listings before you go.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Casino Municipal de Beaucaire an actual gambling casino? No. The name reflects the 19th-century habit of calling entertainment halls and theatres "casinos" — the building has functioned as a theatre since it was built, never as a gambling venue.

Can you visit the building without a ticket to a show? The Casino is an active performance hall lent out to local associations rather than a museum with fixed opening hours, so access to the interior is generally tied to a specific performance or event.

How old is the building? The town approved the project in 1893, and construction started in 1897 — the Casino is therefore more than 125 years old and has served Beaucaire's community continuously ever since.

What else is worth seeing in Beaucaire nearby? Right next door stands the medieval Beaucaire Castle overlooking the Rhône, along with the town's historic centre, once known for hosting one of southern France's largest annual trade fairs.