In news that shocked the people of at least two nations, it’s just been announced that the WSOP Europe will be moved from it’s original home of London in the UK to Cannes, France for the 2011 installment.

Since it’s inception in 2007, the World Series of Poker Europe has always been held in London, England at the Empire Casino located in Leicester Square. But not this year. In a move that stunned players, fans and businesses in both affected countries, the WSOPE 2011 will be held instead in Cannes, France, specifically at the Casino Barrière de Cannes Croisette along with the Hôtel Majestic Barrière located in Cannes in Southern France.

What’s more a deal has been struck for the WSOP Europe to be held in its new venue in France for the next 3 years. The 2011 WSOPE will take place October 7 – 21, 2011. Representing the opinion of many attendees and would-be attendees of WSOPE events in year’s past, Doyle Brunson, widely known as the Godfather of Poker, had long believed the WSOPE should move somewhere else. He complained the Empire Casino was too small (the new site boasts twice as many tables, at 75) and that London was too expensive to attract new beginner poker pros to the event. If as expected the WSOPE 2011 gets a bigger turnout than series of years past, the weather may also be a factor, as the average temperature in London in October is only 52 while it’s 62 in Cannes.