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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Moorish Casino of Arcachon was built in 1863 by architect Paul Régnauld as part of the Pereire brothers' real estate project, aimed at attracting an easy clientele to the nascent seaside resort. Inspired by the Alhambra in Granada and the Córdoba Mosque, it became a major entertainment venue for the bourgeoisie, with playrooms, shows and landscaped gardens designed by Frusique and Clavery. Its eclectic architecture, bulb domes and sumptuous interior decorations made it a symbol of the City of Winter, accessible by a funicular and then an elevator still visible today.

During World War I, the casino was requisitioned as a temporary military hospital, marking a turning point in its history. Despite its initial success, it experienced financial difficulties, notably after the opening of the Casino de la Plage in 1903, resulting in several bankruptcies. The municipality of Arcachon became its owner in 1879, but failed to ensure its sustainability. During the Second World War, he was requisitioned again, before being permanently abandoned in the 1970s.

On 18 January 1977, a fire of suspicious origin – officially attributed to a short circuit, although the archives are missing – completely destroyed the building. The municipality, which had refused to classify it as a historic monument and planned to build a congress hall there, had the ruins razed shortly afterwards. Today, a pinasse and a model in the park, transformed into arboretum in 1992, recall its location. Its architectural heritage, however, continues, as evidenced by the Mazagan villa in Labouheyre, inspired by its Moorish style.

The casino illustrated the Pereire brothers' ambition to make Arcachon a luxurious destination, combining thermalism, resorts and entertainment. Its park, with a music kiosk and a green theatre, hosted children's shows and animations such as Sylvain Dornon's Landers. The 80 chandeliers of crystal, the central staircase (later replaced by side stairs), and the works of the sculptor Claude Bouscau – still visible near the elevator – highlighted his fascination. Despite its tragic end, it remains a symbol of the golden age of the French seaside resorts.

The construction of the casino was part of a broader tourism development strategy, led by the Compagnie des chemins de fer du Midi. The luxury villas of the City of Winter, intended for a wealthy international clientele, required places of distraction to meet their expectations. The choice of a Moorish architecture, exotic and refined, reflected this desire for seduction, while integrating into the Dunary landscape of Arcachon. The Bordeaux entrepreneurs, like Salesses (in charge of construction) and his son (inner decorator), played a key role in its realization.

After its destruction, the site was redesigned into a green space, keeping some traces of its past, such as Bouscau's sculptures or the model displayed in the elevator. The debates surrounding its disappearance – between negligence, property speculation and loss of property – continue to fuel discussions on the preservation of the seaside heritage. Books such as Michel Boyé and Maurice Culot, as well as photographic archives, perpetuate his memory, while villas inspired by his style testify to his lasting influence.

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