The Glamorous Game of Roulette

There are many theories as to the origin of roulette. There are rumors that the game was invented in China and popularized in Europe by traders who were trading with the Chinese. However, most agree that the game did begin in France. In French, the word roulette means "small wheel". The idea of a spinning wheel with numbers may be old but evidence suggests that the first Roulette wheel was invented by the mathematician Blaine Pascal in 1655, who was supposedly inspired by his fascination with perpetual-motion devices. In 1842, fellow Frenchmen Francois and Louis Blanc added the "0" to the roulette wheel in order to increase house odds. Some call roulette the "King of Casino Games", probably because it was associated with the glamour of the casinos in Monte Carlo.

During the 20th century, roulette has remained a hugely popular casino game. From Las Vegas to France, roulette has retained its mystique as a glamorous game for high rollers.

Hôtel de Paris

There are some exceptional places which one day cease to be merely an address and become a legend. The Hôtel de Paris is one of them. This sumptuous palace is situated on the Golden Square of the Place du Casino and was the first hotel built in Monte Carlo in 1864. Russian Tsars, the Duke of Windsor and Winston Churchill stayed there to enjoy the splendour of the hotel itself and the stunning views of the azure blue sea.

This Limoges Box captures the elegance and ambiance of an European breakfast as well as the white glove service that one would find at such a sophisticated and grand setting.