The Cat Café: A place to have a pet of your own for an afternoon (Meet Marguerite)

Living a Happier Life . . . with Furry Friends

If you build it, they will come.

If the “they” are cat lovers—and the “it” is a cozy place to hang out with 12 lovable cats—the truth is they will come . . . in droves.

Meet Le Café des Chats in Paris, the new hottest ticket in town. Yes, Paris is known for trendy gourmet destinations. But, here, in this furs-rate stone-walled restaurant, it’s not so much about the food. (Although the organic salads and homemade quiches and desserts are great.)

Here, it’s about the ambiance—Djenko, Khaleessi, Pattenrond, Rosa, Berlioz, Saha, Lovely, Pepite, Idylle, Oreo, Habby, and Marguerite—and the ability of visitors to feel at home in the company of these friendly felines (and vice versa).

Pattenrond and Pepite nap before lunch.

“Cats are Just Little People with Fur Coats”

Scientific and psychological research has shown that pets help reduce stress. However, not everyone can handle the responsibilities of pet ownership, especially in cities where space is at a premium in tiny apartment living quarters.

Kaleessi gets lots of colorful young attention.

Margaux Gandelon, the owner of Le Café des Chats, had this in mind as her dream of a café took hold. She envisioned a place where people could come and relax with a range of cat personalities—where stroking your favorite cat or engaging in cat play or just having a lap cat for a few hours could add to your day.

There are sofas, books, nooks, and wifi. The cats have complete freedom to sleep, wander, or do whatever else they please.

The Cat Café condos, with two late sleepers

In fact, their varied high-rise condos and fluffy beds are quite inviting. And the cave-like interior of the café basement gives them (and us) the feeling of being in a mysterious maze à la an Inspector Clouseau film.

Hello Kitty

The idea of cat cafés comes from Asia, where the first one of its kind opened in Taipei in 1998. The theme worked well for animal lovers who needed a little pet interaction and for people who needed a method for de-stressing.

The calming quality of a furry friend

The concept moved quickly to Japan, where there are now more than 150 cat cafés (not to mention goat, rabbit, and reptile venues).

In some cases, the word “café” is not quite accurate, as there is no food (or only vending machines). The focus is on the opportunity to pay for an hour or two of cuddling or for the pleasure of just observing the life of our animal friends.

Le Café des Chats, the Paris dream of Margaux Gandelon

The Passion of Animal Lovers

The age-old question of world preference—cats or dogs?— may never be answered. However, if the crowdfunding campaign for the Cat Café on Indiegogo (a funding site like Kickstarter) is any indication, cat lovers are passionate in their support.

The Cat Café funding drive began in April 2013 and reached the target goal of 40,000 euros in 45 days, enough to make the Café des Chats a reality. The café opened in September and has been booked solidly ever since.

Does everyone play by the rules (even Pattenrond)?

Rules are Rules

The cats are free to do whatever they want 24/365. (Of course, this is always true in a cat’s life, as any cat owner knows.)

There are no cages. There are places to explore and places to go when they want independence or calm.

Marguerite is free to wander.

The humans, on the other hand, have rules. A list is posted on the front door and is repeated by the hostess when people enter.

• Don’t feed the cats. (As Margaux says, if everyone offered just a little bite of something, that would mean 50 extra bites a day.)
• Don’t bring your own cat. That’s primarily because cats are attached to their own territory. They don’t particularly like to travel to other cats’ domains.
• Sanitize your hands before you enter (gel is provided).
• Don’t wake a peacefully sleeping cat.
• Wait for the cats to come to you.
• Don’t use flash for photos.
• Children under six years of age cannot touch the cats by themselves.
• Remember, we’re in THEIR house.

And, as for dogs, there is just a one-word rule. NO. Sadly, they are not allowed.

Idylle, feeling right at home

Oh, I See

Just about everything in the Café des Chats is about living a happier life—for cats and for humans.

The cats are selected from animal protection centers. Each is chosen, not for its color or cuteness, but rather for its ability to be happy with café life. The cats have to like humans . . . and other cats.

Life on a pedestal for Habby

The 12 cats are given medical care and periodic exams to ensure their health and happiness.

For the humans, the OIC Moments are there for the taking. It is rewarding to see that people have put away their mobile phones and are actually observing what’s around them.

Everyone smiles when a cat does something so charmingly catlike. Children giggle as they dangle a felt mouse from the toy box for the cats to paw at (or pause at if we’re continuing the cat puns).

Tempting Idylle to play

Some visitors are just happy to have a cat jump in their lap and purr, a vibration that is said to hold healing power.

Cat lovers of all ages are in cat paradise—living a happier life.

Purrfection.

Kaleessi cat naps after an afternoon of frolic

The Café des Chats is located at 16 rue Michel Le Compte in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris. It’s open every day from 12h until 22h.

Thank you to Jennifer Vine for introducing me to my first cat café experience.

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