Ever since last May, when the Monte-Carlo Cigar Club was inaugurated, I had been looking forward to discovering this private venue at such an exceptional address. On the first floor of the Casino de Monte-Carlo, just steps from the Opera, the Monte-Carlo Cigar Club occupies a space steeped in history: the former apartments of Francois Blanc, founder of the SBM. His office has now become the heart of the club, the smoking lounge, in dark brown tones, brass, marble, a hushed atmosphere where detail and luxury are everywhere. The agency Bruno Moinard and Claire Betaille (the same duo behind the Caves at the Hotel de Paris) led the project. The result is incredible! Technical skill and aesthetics both deliver.

The venue consists of an entrance, a smoking lounge, a bar, a walk-in humidor and a terrace with sea views and a view of the Hotel de Paris. I meet Jean Thomas, director of the Monte-Carlo Cigar Club. He speaks about the place with precision, almost restraint. “We are a club exclusively dedicated to cigars. That’s our only focus.” A clear, deliberate positioning that makes all the difference.

Becoming a member is no simple matter. You need to be introduced by two members, be a genuine enthusiast, and be approved by a membership committee. A demanding process, but one that’s consistent with the spirit of the place. Once a member, the privilege is immediate: access to what Jean Thomas describes without hesitation as the finest cigar selection on the entire Riviera, from Monaco to Capri. More than 35,000 cigars, nearly 16,000 of which are available on site, drawn from over 200 references. In a context of shortage, this abundance becomes an absolute luxury.

But the Monte-Carlo Cigar Club is about far more than a collection. It’s also a human experience. I meet Adrien Dalang, Master Cigar Sommelier, whose role goes well beyond simple advice. Being a cigar sommelier, he explains, is “being of service to the moment, the mood, the memory”. Every recommendation is born from a conversation. Whether a complementary pairing or a deliberate contrast, whisky, cognac, port, coffee, chocolate: everything is designed to create the right resonance.

Adrien also speaks of emotion, of passing things down, of memories tied to a father or grandfather. Here, cigars become a bond across generations. Every fortnight, intimate tastings bring members together around a cigar, a spirit, or a new pairing, always in strict compliance with regulations.

I truly felt privileged that day: the exclusivity of the venue, the luxury of the decor, and the product experts. I even got a little lesson on the history, the difference between a Cuban cigar and others, the market, and more… fascinating stuff, a genuinely Monegasque art of living.

Agathe’s tip: this club is private, so it’s reserved for members only! If you’re a cigar enthusiast, here’s the link again to my article “the best cigar spots in Monaco”. In the meantime, I discovered that the Hotel Metropole also offers cigars for visitors: the space is cosy, elegant, and designed by Jacques Garcia!