A casino? On the beach? All signs point to yes…read more
Well initially the first sign I saw was for an ABBA tribute band. Gambling, beach, france and ABBA?! What else could a girl like me ask for? So on my first night in Houlgate I was greeted by the french singers, singing english songs, penned by non english speaking swedish popstars. Yes that juuuust happened!
The casino is what I would call quaint- Slots, blackjack, and a really weird form of roulette. They call it La Boule, and I don't really understand it. I know that I put some euros down and walked away with 20 more... enough for me to walk away. lol.
I find it interesting to watch the french gamble. They are very reserved about it. No high fives, no jumping with enthusiasm. They win, they continue. They lose, they continue. There's no expression here. When I won and yelped out loud- everyone looked at me like I was nuts. And maybe I am, but I understand what you're saying silly french lady, and I will also laugh at the absurdity.
Theres also a restaurant/brasserie attached (bar brasserie). I didn't eat there, but when I popped my head in it was swimming with patrons.
After a whirlwind night, I walked out into the cool ocean, breeze, and took a stroll home along the empty, quiet beach. A nice change of pace from the action of a casino, and great way to end my first night in Houlgate.