Imagine: it’s 1pm in Paris. It’s lunchtime, you’re hungry, and you really need to take a break to unwind from a stressful day at work. Where do you go?
The answer will soon be, to Le Café des Chats.
The concept of a cat café is nothing new. Wikipedia tells me the first cat café opened in Taiwan in 1998, but Japan has since perfected the business model. The concept dug its claws into Europe with the 2012 opening of Cafe Neko in Vienna.
Earlier this year, similar breeds have spawned in Hungary and the UK. And now the highly anticipated, crowdfunded Café des Chats just opened its doors to the cat-lovers of Paris.
This Parisian haven for cat lovers provides food and shelter for a carefully selected group of adopted cats, and promises to provide them with regular medical care and vaccines. There’s a litter room exclusively for the cats, accessible by a small cat-door and separate from the café to ensure hygiene for both cats and clients.
Mais, bien sur. What could possibly be better than enjoying an organic quiche for lunch, or perhaps savoring a chocolat chaud and a homemade muffin, while in the supervised company of cute, cuddly, playful, loving kitties?
As the proud new owner of two adorable kittens, and someone who normally works from home, I can’t possibly think of a worse idea for anyone actually trying to get work done. In the past 10 minutes alone, I have shooed my sweet little companions off the keyboard at least a dozen times. Since shortly after adopting these two precious felines, I have not dared to eat single bite of food without first locking the sharply clawed howling beasts in the other room.
But then again, could I imagine a day without a comforting snuggle with my two furry friends? Not anymore. The next time I find myself without the loving company of my own two kitties, I sure hope there is a cat café nearby.
Le Café des Chats
16 rue Michel Le Comte, 75003 Paris
Tel: +33 (0)9 73 53 35 81
Métro: Rambuteau
Related links:
- Read our previous post, written by Justine Robinett, about doggie etiquette in the city
- Secrets of Paris tells us more about how it is having a pet in the French capital
- Girls Guide to Paris shares a little story about a woman who brought her dog to all the way to Paris from Californa
Written by Elise Marafioti for the HiP Paris Blog. All photos by Didier Gauducheau. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, London, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.
WRITTEN BY
Elise Marafioti
Elise was born and raised in New York where she pursued a career in classical and modern dance. During a hiatus from performing, she moved to Paris and attended the American University of Paris. After living in more than six different arrondissements over the years, soaking up as much of Paris as possible, she returned to New York. Throughout the years, Elise has taken every opportunity to return to Paris and has also traveled extensively throughout Europe.
A great read, we are looking forward to checking out the establishment, it sounds like a purrrfect way to spend a saturday afternoon.
Wonderful article! Shared on our FB page. 🙂
Thank you!
I expected the decoration of a cat café to be a lot cuter…! Hmmm. Those cats must be exhausted from constant attention 🙁
I will be in Paris in a months’ time.. Definitely stopping by here. LOVE IT!
Hope you’ll have a great time in Paris and at the cat café then Sarah!
Sounds gorgeous!! I love cats! Heading to Paris in January and hope to see these lovely felines!!
We do too! Hope you’ll have a great time there during your trip in January Marianne.
The real question is, do they have a basket of lint rollers at the door?
Haha, yes, that’s a very valid question Diane!
What a fun idea for cat lovers!…sounds great!…xv
Yes we really think so too 🙂
Me encantan los gatos!!!, es una gran idea, cuando este por Paris pasaré por Cat café
un saludo
Oh boy!!! This is the first stop on our next trip!
Happy you liked the suggestion Astrid 🙂
What a fantastic idea! will definitely visit next time I’m in Paris!
That sounds like a great idea Barbara!
I’ll be heading here on my next trip that’s for sure! What an awesome idea!
Yes, we’re going back soon as well 🙂 Hope you’ll enjoy your next trip to Paris!