My friend told me that La Coupole and La Rotonde in the Montparnasse are "old school [eateries] and always sure bets." 

La Couple began as a Roaring 20s brasserie, which has fed its share of stars throughout the decades.

In the late 20s it opened its doors to Jean Cocteau, Alberto Giacometti, Josephine Baker, Man Ray, Georges Braque and Brassaï. 

The 30s were for Pablo Picasso, Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, Marc Chagall, and Edith Piaf.

In the years that followed, La Coupole welcomed everyone from Ernest Hemingway to Henry Miller; Marlene Dietrich, to Ava Gardner; Yves Klein to Jackie O.

It's reputation is that it's an Art Deco gem with classic French fare.

The famed La Rotonde is up the block, on the other side of the street.

First opened in 1911, the restaurant is more synonymous with the poets, artists and gallerists it fed.

It's noted as a bistro-y, bohemian destination that's served folks such as Picasso (who had a nearby studio at 242 Boulevard Raspail) and Peggy Guggenheim (who was permitted to smoke on the terrace).

CONTACTS

La Coupole (mapped to this card)

https://www.lacoupole-paris.com/en

La Rotonde

https://larotonde-montparnasse.fr

LEAD-IN IMAGE

La Coupole / Facebook