On the corner of Boulevard du Montparnasse and Boulevard Raspail, the La Rotonde brasserie is one of the most iconic addresses of artists’ Paris. Recognisable by its façade and red awning, it has crossed more than a century without losing any of its soul as a grand Parisian brasserie. A place you come to as much for the food as for the atmosphere, in the footsteps of the painters and writers who made the neighbourhood legendary.
From small bistro to artists’ meeting place
Opened at the start of the 20th century, La Rotonde was at first just a modest neighbourhood café. But in the 1910s and through the Roaring Twenties (Années folles), Montparnasse became the epicentre of world creativity, and the brasserie established itself as one of its beating hearts. Here you would cross the figures of the École de Paris: Picasso, Modigliani, Soutine, as well as writers and poets such as Apollinaire, Jean Cocteau and Ernest Hemingway, who mentions the establishment in his writing.
Around these tables, artists reinvented the world, exchanged ideas, and sometimes traded their canvases as payment. This ferment turned La Rotonde, La Coupole and the neighbouring grand brasseries into a genuine literary and artistic myth, still palpable today.
A Parisian brasserie in the grand tradition
Even now, La Rotonde upholds the spirit of the great Parisian brasseries: banquettes, brass fittings, a lively atmosphere and all-day service. The menu features the classics of the genre: seafood platters, meats, French specialities in a Belle Époque setting that is part of the pleasure. The brasserie draws Parisians passing through as much as visitors seeking the atmosphere of a timeless Paris.
Discovering the Montparnasse district
La Rotonde is an excellent starting point for exploring Montparnasse, a district both down-to-earth and creative. A few steps away, the La Coupole brasserie continues the boulevard’s Art Deco legend. The area also lends itself to family outings: discover what to do as a family in Montparnasse.
FAQ: La Rotonde in Montparnasse
Where is the La Rotonde brasserie?
La Rotonde is located on Boulevard du Montparnasse, at the corner of Boulevard Raspail, in the Montparnasse district of Paris (Left Bank).
Why is La Rotonde famous?
In the early 20th century it was one of the meeting places of the Montparnasse artists — Picasso, Modigliani, Apollinaire, Cocteau, Hemingway — at the heart of the Roaring Twenties.
What kind of cuisine does La Rotonde serve?
La Rotonde offers traditional Parisian brasserie cuisine: seafood, meats and French specialities, in a Belle Époque setting.
Which other brasseries should you visit in Montparnasse?
La Coupole, nearby and just as legendary, continues the tradition of the district’s grand Art Deco brasseries.
Which hotel should you choose near La Rotonde?
Hôtel Helzear Montparnasse is in the district, a few minutes’ walk from the brasserie