Bad Homburg vor der Höhe in Hochtaunuskreis, Hesse, Germany — Central Europe

François Blanc

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 22, 2024

1. François Blanc Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

In diesem hause wohnte um 1860 François Blanc, geb. 12. 12. 1806, gest. 27. 7. 1877, Gründer der Spielbank Homburg und Förderer des Kurwesens.

(English translation):
François Blanc, born December 12, 1806, died July 27, 1877, founder of the Homburg casino and promoter of the spa industry, lived in this house around 1860.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 50° 13.564′ N, 8° 37.091′ E. Marker is in Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, Hessen (Hesse), in Hochtaunuskreis. It is on Louisenstraße, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Louisenstraße 83, Bad Homburg vor der Höhe HE 61348, Germany. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe,

the European Union,

Atlantic Europe,

Central Europe,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire

and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ehemalige Kaiserliche Post / Former Imperial Post Office (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Ehemalige Gustav-Weigand-Stiftung / Former Gustav Weigand Foundation (about 150 meters away); Hofapotheke / Court Apothecary (about 240 meters away); Hotel “Cafe du Parc”

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(about 240 meters away); Ehemaliges Armen- und Waisenhaus / Former Poorhouse and Orphanage (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Bad Homburg Franco-Prussian War Memorial (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Elvis im Oktober 1958 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Engelapotheke / “Angel Apothecary” (approx. 0.6 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bad Homburg vor der Höhe.

Also see . . . François Blanc (Wikipedia).

Excerpts: François Blanc (12 December 1806 – 27 July 1877), nicknamed "The Magician of Homburg" and "The Magician of Monte Carlo", was a French entrepreneur and operator of casinos, including the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco…

… and moved to Paris, but after King Louis Philippe passed new laws they had to move again - to Luxembourg. They ran profitable business there but it was just the first little step to their success in Hesse-Homburg near Frankfurt, where brothers signed a contract with a monarch because of debts of the city and in order to develop tourism industry.

One innovation was the introduction of the single 0 style roulette wheel in 1843. This allowed Bad Homburg to compete against the casinos of Paris which offered the traditional wheel with both
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 22, 2024

2. François Blanc Marker - wide view
single and double zero house pockets. A legend says that François Blanc supposedly bargained with the devil to obtain the secrets of roulette. The legend is based on the fact that the sum of all the numbers on the roulette wheel (from 0 to 36) is 666, which is the "Number of the Beast".

The venture was a great success, Homburg became popular in a moment with a lot of entertainment, gambling houses, hotels - all the richest and famous came there for new emotions and fun. In a while François Blanc was given the name "The Magician of Homburg".

(Submitted on June 23, 2024.)

François Blanc Marker - wider view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 22, 2024

3. François Blanc Marker - wider view

Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 23, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 295 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 23, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.