Paris Tips: Big Cats on Parade

Can you hear me now? (Montmartre, 18th arrondissement)

By Theadora Brack

Every day it’s International Cat Day, according to my cat, Kitty. So in celebration of les chats du monde and Parisian artists Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen and Erik Satie, I’ve decided to launch the weekend with a few of my own favorite felines in Paris.

When you’re out pounding the pavement or slinking down the alleyways in Paris, keep your eyes peeled for other appealing cat sightings. Cats are practically a part of the landscape in Paris, after all. Here’s what’s new Pussy Cat! For instance. . .

Can you feel the love tonight?
15th arrondissement

More Lion King and All That Jazz
3 Rue des Écoles, 5th arrondissement, Métro Cardinal Lemoine

Good Will Hunting
6th arrondissement

Take cover!
Big Hairball on Rue des Écoles, 5th arrondissement, Métro Cardinal Lemoine

Keeping watch at the Cimetière de Montmartre
Abbesses-Montmartre 18th Arrondissement, Métro: Abbesses

How much is that kitty in the window?

KARL LAGERFELD’S “NOËL, RÊVES D’EVASION” HOLIDAY WINDOW
Printemps, 9th arrondissement, Métro: Saint-Lazare or Havre-Caumartin

Le Fabuleux Destin de Kitty in Abbesses
Abbesses, 18th arrondissement, Métro Abbesses

La Vie en Rose
Marais, 14th arrondissement, Métro Saint-Paul

A Tisket A Tasket
Porte de Vanves Flea Market, 14th arrondissement, Métro: Porte de Vanves

Bang, bang. My baby shot me down.
17 Avenue Trudaine, 9th arrondissement
, Métro: Anvers

Cat got your tongue?

Copy Cat
Corner of rue d’Orsel and Steinkerque, 18th arrondissement, Métro Abbesses

Splish-splash on Rue du Chat Qui Pêche!

Gymnopéding with Satie at l’heure bleu
Le Chat Noir, 68 Boulevard De Clichy, 18th arrondissement, Métro Pigalle or Blanche

Bottoms up. Bottoms up.
Vert d’Absinthe, 11 Rue d’Ormesson, 4th arrondissement, Métro Saint-Paul

Cats Gone Wild!

Love Cats
Musée Halle Saint Pierre at 2 rue Ronsard, 18th arrondissement, Métro: Abbesses

RIP! Unofficial Princess Di Shrine
Pont-de l’Alma, Princess, 7th arrondissement, Métro: Pont de l’Alma

Devil and the deep blue me
Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie, 6th arrondissement, Métro Odéon

Nine Lives
Abbesses, 18th arrondissement, Métro Abbesses


56 thoughts on “Paris Tips: Big Cats on Parade

    • Hi Rico, I know! It’s high time to show some love for the dogs in the city. Any favorites? There’s a fabulous mascot dog at Café Comptoir Tournon at 18 Rue de Tournon (near the Palais du Luxembourg). The bulldog usually holds court at cafe’s “le bar à chiens” (water bowl for the neighborhood dogs) at the front door. He looks real. He looks very real. Theadora

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    • Sweet comment! The cats at Père Lachaise are pretty great! I also love the felines at the Cimetière de Montmartre. I enjoy watching them slink around the place. They’re very expressive. Worldly and curious. Beautiful eyes. I also spot the wild ones in the Montmartre Vineyard (corner of rue Saint-Vincent and rue des Saules). Maybe I’ll snap a few shots! Theadora

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    • Ah! Merci for your kind words! You made by day. You made my month! I love the city’s architecture and street art. It’s exciting to watch them mesh and collide! Theadora

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    • Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! And speaking of “little buggers,” I really enjoyed your gorgeous closeup of the Laughing Gull. Beautiful and fierce! Oh, my! (Did you take cover?!) Theadora

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      • LOL Theadora ! Actually, he was really kind about checking me out, and then went on his merry way. I’m so happy that you enjoyed this post. It really was such a special day for me due to the birds.

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    • Thank you! The post was easy, breezy to create. I love les chats! (And speaking of fellow cat lovers, there’s a monument dedicated to Steinlen in a little park in Montmartre, located at Place Constantin-Pecquier, 18th arrondissment (Métro Lamark- Caulaincourt). It’s a nice spot for catnapping, watching birds and picnicking! Theadora

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    • Merci, Shira! And thanks also for the Versatile Blogger Award. It is the cat’s meow! I’m hard at work at my “passing on the torch” post. It will be a looker! Theadora (And congratulations to you!)

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  1. All I can say is ‘WOW’ and ‘MEOW!’ ;0 Love all of these photos. I especially love the cat face in the arch. I have the Tournee du chat noir, as a poster on my wall! ;0
    X
    BD

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    • Hi B.D.! “Les Chats” and “Mère et Enfant avec un Chat” are my favorites! I grew up surrounded by Steinlen’s cats. Posters and prints, of course! His works are often on display at the Musée Montmartre, located at 12 Rue Cortot, 18th arrondissement (Métro Abbesses or Avers). There’s also gorgeous catalog, published a few years ago Fragments. I’ll find out if it’s available on amazon. Enjoy the weekend! Theadora

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    • Hello DGL! Thinking of your recent “door” series, you’d also love Eugène Atget’s “dragon” It’s located at 50 rue de Rennes (kitty corner to Zara and the Église de Saint-Germain-des-Prés). Sadly, the façade has dramatically changed, but the dragon still frolics in a land called “Paree.” It’s the perfect blue door! Theadora

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  2. Check out the “cat hotels” scattered around in the Cemetery of Montmartre, just north of Place de Clichy. They actually ENCOURAGE stray cats to take up residence among the graves. Weird!

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    • Thanks, Hilary! I also the love petal-pushing cat. It’s a beauty! The Marais has always been one of my favorite window-shopping spots. The boutiques are consistently playful with their vitrine decor. And like Abbesses, the shops are always open on Sundays! With the exception of Annick Goutal perfumerey. Boo-hoo! Theadora

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  3. Interesting! Next time that I’m in Paris, I will make it a goal to check anything feline. 😉

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    • Thanks, Malou! By the way, your “Going Dutch” and London Caller’s “London Calling” sites inspired the stacked photo series. You two do this very well! Theadora

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  4. Great post – aside from the cats in Père Lachaise, I love Rue du Chat qui Pêche off of Quai St Michel! In my head, there’s a great kids’ book based on that premise!

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    • Hi Krista! For the love of super skinny, I dig rue du Chat-qui-Pêche! Located in the Latin Quarter, it’s the narrowest street in Paris. Great idea! I have a recent shot of the sign. Maybe I’ll add it to the post? Thanks! Theadora

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    • Hi Laura, Thanks! Yes, Absinthe Kitty is one of my favorites! And the shop is also pretty swell, too. It’s chock-full of “la fée verte” memorabilia. Located in the Marais, it’s definitely worth a peek. Look for the forest green door! Theadora

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      • I remember the shop but was so busy marvelling over the assortment of absinthe fountains and accoutrements in the window that I didn’t even notice the kitty on the bottom half of shop door! I just checked back through my own photos, and sure enough, the pictures I took of the shop show the kitty plain as day. That’s funny! No wonder your photo caught my eye 🙂

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    • Hi Michelle! I agree. Everyday is International Cat Day! By the way, I’m head over paws in love with both Biscotti and Biscuit! Your “Biscotti is Awful Naughty” is adorable. Your cool cats are so photogenic. I love their big eyed expressions. Signed, a fan

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  5. Wow, this is really interesting!
    I didn’t know there were so many cats hidden in Paris.
    But I think dogs are more popular in Paris.
    French people love their dogs, don’t they?

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  6. Very clever, I wish I’d known there were so many cats when I was in Paris. Your Kitty is also clever declaring cat day. Love your blog its visually stunning!

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    • Thanks, Gilly! Yes, everyday here is “International Cat Day,” according to Kitty. But I would have it any other way! (Thanks also for your kind words. I love your photography work. Your recent shots of Kenton were especially lovely. Very dreamy! Off to read more about the Powderham Castle. . .)

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  7. OMG. I love Paris. and cats. Actually, I wish I had one sitting on my lap during my trip to Geneva. That would have really made the train ride heavenly.

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    • In Montmartre-Abbesses, I often see a man and a cat walking about the hood—without a leash! They’ve been doing this for years. It’s adorable! Theadora

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  8. My first time here and I really enjoyed your photos. I’m with the dog lovers, though. 🙂 My favorite cat saying, which I have on a mug, is “The cat’s pajamas”, meaning something is just too good. I guess dogs don’t wear pj’s!

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      • Thanks, Theadora. Glad you stopped by and I hope you enjoy my others posts as well, since you’re going to be getting them from now on. I’ll try not to disappoint. I look forward to the “Dogs of Paris” post. Hmmm, sounds a bit like “Werewolves of London”. 🙂

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