Finding a quality backgammon set or board game in a supermarket or department store is practically impossible — the games aisles of these chains mostly stock imported low-end products. For serious equipment, you need to turn to specialist shops.
For high-end wooden board games (backgammon, draughts, dominoes), favour shops that specialise in high-end chess sets and board games. They generally offer a much better selection, with genuine expert advice and products built to last.
Our Top Recommendation: Le Palais des Echecs
What Le Palais des Echecs offers
| Category | Products available | Direct link |
|---|---|---|
| Backgammon | Wooden cases, luxury sets, travel sets | → Solid-wood backgammon |
| Draughts | Wooden boards, complete sets | → Wooden draughts sets |
| Dominoes | Wooden boxes, double-12 sets | → Wooden domino box |
| Mahjong | Traditional sets | → Traditional mahjong set |
| Combination sets | 3-in-1 chess/draughts/backgammon | → All board games |
We particularly recommend their guide to choosing your backgammon board, which gives very useful advice on the criteria to bear in mind.
Other Specialist Shops
Shops specialising in classic games
In France, Switzerland and Belgium, a few bricks-and-mortar shops are worth a visit:
- Geneva, Lausanne: games shops in the old town, often stocking wooden sets
- Paris: several specialist shops in the Marais and around the Opéra
- Christmas fairs: Swiss and Alsatian Christmas markets often feature excellent woodworkers
General online marketplaces
Amazon and the big marketplaces sell equipment, but quality varies enormously. Some advice:
- Always check reviews and buyers' photos (not just the seller's photos)
- Be wary of very low prices — under €30 often means low-grade chipboard
- For professional sets, look for specialist brands such as Crisloid
Our Pick of Games by Category
Backgammon
Beginner (€40–70)
Wood/MDF board, acrylic checkers, synthetic leather. Good for learning and playing regularly without a big outlay. Enough for 2–3 years of use.
Experienced (€80–180)
Solid wood, heavy checkers, genuine leather. An investment for life. Ideal for serious players. Our main recommendation.
Gift / Collector's (€200+)
Precious-wood cases with luxury finishes. A decorative piece too. Ideal as a wedding or birthday present, or for an enthusiast.
Draughts
For a quality wooden draughts set, look for a board with inlaid squares (not just painted ones), thick pieces and built-in storage. 3-in-1 chess, draughts and backgammon sets are an excellent all-round option.
Dominoes
For dominoes, choose wooden domino boxes with tiles in resin or natural bone rather than plastic. A double-12 set (91 tiles) is better than the classic double-6 for games with several players.
Other wooden games
To explore the world of wooden chess sets and board games, Le Palais des Echecs also offers 3D noughts and crosses, oware (awele) boards, go sets and other classics in fine woods.
Gift Ideas
A fine wooden board game is a gift that lasts and can be handed down. Here are a few ideas by budget and occasion:
- €50–80: a wooden travel backgammon set + a rules card
- €100–150: a standard solid-wood backgammon set with doubling cube
- €200–300: a solid-wood backgammon case with leather finishes and heavy checkers
- €300+: a personalised luxury backgammon board
Ready to learn to play?
Once you have bought your board, start with our complete rules and our strategy guide.
Learn the rules →