La Baule's casino hasn’t always been a gambling haven. During the First World War, this classically styled building was repurposed as a military hospital. The temporary (28 month) set-up was made possible by the managing director, who was incredibly moved by tales of wounded French soldiers. First, Louis Ferrat converted the Petits-Chevaux room into a dormitory. Later, the floor of the gaming room was strewn with bales of hay to accommodate a second wave of soldiers. Ferrat's charitable nature was clearly contagious, for the director of Le Royal, Mr Vallée, soon had 20 beds installed in the ballroom of his luxury hotel too. If you find yourself walking along the Bay of Pouliguen and your steps lead you to these two buildings, close your eyes and listen to the crashing waves. For centuries they, like the residents of La Baule, have welcomed and provided comfort for visitors from afar.
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