Cafe La Table Ronde (The Round Table Cafe), Grenoble
The Round Table Cafe, located on Grenoble鈥檚 historic Place Saint-Andr茅, is not only the city鈥檚 oldest caf茅 but also one of the oldest in France. Established in 1739 by master confectioner Caudet, who purchased the shop from watchmaker Fran莽ois Dagonneau, the caf茅 began life as "Caf茅 Caudet" in a city of just 20,000 inhabitants. Renamed "Round Table" in 1797, the caf茅 has witnessed nearly three centuries of Grenoble鈥檚 cultural, political, and social evolution.
The Round Table played a dramatic role during World War II, especially as a covert meeting point for resistance fighters. Its discreet back room hosted gatherings that ultimately led to tragedy when the anti-German journalist Jean Pain was arrested there in 1943 and executed the following day. The caf茅 was closed by the German authorities shortly after, and its owner, Marie Pollini, along with several patrons, was arrested. A dark episode involving a betrayal by a waitress named Rosette, who was later executed, only deepened the caf茅鈥檚 complex wartime legacy.
In the postwar years, the caf茅鈥檚 culinary reputation grew under the influence of renowned chefs. Farid Guerra, trained by the legendary Chef Jean鈥攚ho had worked with Paul Bocuse鈥攔eturned in 2001 to lead the kitchen at the request of J茅r么me Boccard, son of the caf茅鈥檚 longtime owner. Guerra鈥檚 return marked not just the continuation of a culinary tradition but also a gesture of respect for his exceptional career. Today, visitors can enjoy regional specialties such as diot (a local Savoyard sausage), served in a setting that blends rich history with gastronomic heritage.
Over the centuries, The Round Table has welcomed a remarkable cast of patrons, from philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau and writer Stendhal to composer Antoine Renard, who wrote the music for Le Temps des cerises within its walls. Its elegant interior and storied past make it much more than a caf茅鈥攊t is a living monument to the city鈥檚 intellectual, artistic, and political history.
The Round Table played a dramatic role during World War II, especially as a covert meeting point for resistance fighters. Its discreet back room hosted gatherings that ultimately led to tragedy when the anti-German journalist Jean Pain was arrested there in 1943 and executed the following day. The caf茅 was closed by the German authorities shortly after, and its owner, Marie Pollini, along with several patrons, was arrested. A dark episode involving a betrayal by a waitress named Rosette, who was later executed, only deepened the caf茅鈥檚 complex wartime legacy.
In the postwar years, the caf茅鈥檚 culinary reputation grew under the influence of renowned chefs. Farid Guerra, trained by the legendary Chef Jean鈥攚ho had worked with Paul Bocuse鈥攔eturned in 2001 to lead the kitchen at the request of J茅r么me Boccard, son of the caf茅鈥檚 longtime owner. Guerra鈥檚 return marked not just the continuation of a culinary tradition but also a gesture of respect for his exceptional career. Today, visitors can enjoy regional specialties such as diot (a local Savoyard sausage), served in a setting that blends rich history with gastronomic heritage.
Over the centuries, The Round Table has welcomed a remarkable cast of patrons, from philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau and writer Stendhal to composer Antoine Renard, who wrote the music for Le Temps des cerises within its walls. Its elegant interior and storied past make it much more than a caf茅鈥攊t is a living monument to the city鈥檚 intellectual, artistic, and political history.
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Cafe La Table Ronde (The Round Table Cafe) on Map
Sight Name: Cafe La Table Ronde (The Round Table Cafe)
Sight Location: Grenoble, France (See walking tours in Grenoble)
Sight Type: Food/Drink
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Grenoble, France (See walking tours in Grenoble)
Sight Type: Food/Drink
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Grenoble, France
Create Your Own Walk in Grenoble
Creating your own self-guided walk in Grenoble is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Grenoble Introduction Walking Tour
Grenoble, nestled at the foot of the French Alps, offers a unique blend of natural beauty, history, and innovation that appeals to a wide range of visitors. The city is surrounded by dramatic mountain landscapes and crisscrossed by rivers, making it a gateway for outdoor adventures like hiking, skiing, and paragliding. At the same time, its compact center is filled with lively squares, pedestrian... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles