The history of Paris's great restaurants: La Coupole, symbol of the Roaring Twenties

A shining symbol of the Paris of the Roaring Twenties , La Coupole is much more than just a brasserie: it's a landmark of Parisian life. Since its inauguration in 1927, this landmark on Boulevard du Montparnasse has embodied the meeting of art, festivity and gastronomy.

Behind its Art Deco columns and vast dome bathed in light, La Coupole has weathered the decades without losing any of its lustre. Everyday theater, artists' canteen, grand dame of eternal Paris, people come here to eat, to celebrate, to feel the breath of a century of history.

A spectacular opening at the heart of the Roaring Twenties

La Coupole opened its doors in 1927, at the height of the golden age of the Montparnasse district, then the epicenter of Parisian intellectual and artistic life. Conceived as a monumental brasserie, it impressed with its size, bold architecture and Art Deco style, now a listed building. The idea was not just to feed, but to enchant: 33 artists, including Fernand Léger, took part in decorating the columns and ceiling. This avant-garde decor quickly made it a landmark of the Parisian avant-garde.

The crossroads of artists, writers and world figures

Right from the start, La Coupole attracted Parisian bohemia. Ernest Hemingway, Man Ray, Kiki de Montparnasse, Brassai, Chagall, Jean Cocteau, Fitzgerald, Giacometti, all took up residence there. Josephine Baker danced, Picasso met Aragon, Sartre debated and Simone de Beauvoir wrote. La Coupole became a stage where modern culture was written in real time. In the decades that followed, stars of cinema, fashion and politics took over. These included Serge Gainsbourg, Françoise Sagan, Yves Saint Laurent, François Mitterrand, Jack Nicholson and Catherine Deneuve. A unique blend of intellectuals, celebrities and locals, this is one of the cornerstones of the establishment's charm.

• To be read
• A brief history of Paris's great restaurants: Les Deux Magots, artistic life in Saint-Germain
• A brief history of the great restaurants of Paris: Le Café de Flore, literature and elegance
• A brief history of Paris's great restaurants: La Closerie des Lilas, a literary bastion

Generous, timeless brasserie cuisine

In terms of cuisine, La Coupole remains true to thespirit of the Parisian brasserie. Seafood served on benches,oyster platters, seafood sauerkraut, tartare, foie gras, grilled lobster... La Maison offers a menu that's both festive and reassuring, with continuous service from breakfast to late dinner. On Saturdays, the Paris Follies revive thespirit of the 20s, in a basement transformed into a showroom. The program at Dancing de La Coupole includes cabaret, tap, burlesque and swing until dawn.

A lively, welcoming institution

La Coupole remains a landmark in the 14ᵉ arrondissement, just a stone's throw from the Vavin station. Its huge dining room, capable of seating more than 300 diners, its painted columns, colorful mosaics and sunny terrace make it an unmissable stopover for anyone wanting a taste ofParisian elegance.