The Café de la Rotonde is a famous café in the Montparnasse Quarter of Paris, France at 105 Boulevard du Montparnasse, known for its artistic milieu and good food. In its official website, La Rotonde defines itself as a brasserie and restaurant. Located on the Place de Picasso, that also holds the sculpture of Honoré de Balzac by Auguste Rodin called Monument to Balzac at the corner of Boulevard du Montparnasse and Boulevard Raspail, it was founded by Victor Libion in 1911. Based on examples established by La Closerie des Lilas and Le Dôme Café, La Rotonde, along with La Coupole and Le Select, was renowned as an intellectual gathering place for notable artists and writers during the interwar period due to its open atmosphere and reasonable prices. Unlike many establishments in Montparnasse, La Rotonde has retained much of its bohemian charm and continues in operation to this day as a popular and chic spot for classic French cuisine lovers and the Parisian artistic intelligentsia.
La Rotonde in 2011.
La Rotonde at night, 2002
Pablo Picasso (right), Moïse Kisling (left) and model Pâquerette photographed by Jean Cocteau at Café de La Rotonde, August 1916
In the Café de la Rotonde (circa 1927) by Alexandre Jacovleff
Montparnasse is an area in the south of Paris, France, on the left bank of the river Seine, centred at the crossroads of the Boulevard du Montparnasse and the Rue de Rennes, between the Rue de Rennes and boulevard Raspail. It is split between the 6th, 14th, and 15th arrondissements of the city. Montparnasse has been part of Paris since 1669.
Montparnasse cemetery and Tour Montparnasse
Le Dôme Café
The 1895 Montparnasse derailment at Gare Montparnasse
Modigliani, Picasso and Salmon, at La Rotonde, by Cocteau, 1916.