Since the beginning of the 20th century, La Rotonde has embodied the Montmartre spirit of Boulevard Montparnasse, a blend of artistic effervescence and brasserie tradition. Behind its emblematic red façade, this café-turned-restaurant is a major landmark of Parisian life, frequented by the century's greatest cultural figures, from Cocteau to Hemingway.
It was at the very beginning of the 20th century that Monsieur Libion bought a modest bistro on the corner of the boulevards Montparnasse and Raspail, then in the throes of change. He renamed it La Rotonde, without imagining for a moment that the name would become legendary. The café quickly established itself as a meeting place for Montparnos, the circle of artists, intellectuals and bohemians who made Paris shine during the Roaring Twenties. Modigliani, Picasso, Cocteau, Hemingway, Scott Fitzgerald... All passed through, met, exchanged, wrote, drew, loved or quarreled, in an atmosphere where art and freedom expressed themselves without filters.
Even today, La Rotonde retains the elegance of its past: large red velvet banquettes, deep wood panelling, mirrors, spacious lounges and a hushed, almost cinematic ambience. Every nook and cranny seems inhabited by the shadows of those who left their mark here. The large terrace, particularly pleasant in fine weather, remains one of the best vantage points for observing Parisian life. Here you'll find the inimitable atmosphere of Paris alive 24 hours a day.
True to the tradition of the great Parisian brasseries, La Rotonde offers classic, generous and consistent French cuisine. It is one of the few addresses in the district to offer continuous service well into the night, bringing together visitors, artists, local residents and passing night owls. It's a place steeped in history, where every dinner is prolonged in the memory of those who made Paris a major cultural and intellectual capital.
Location
La Rotonde Montparnasse
105, Boulevard du Montparnasse
75006 Paris 6
Official website
larotonde-montparnasse.fr
