Le Chat: The French and Their Felines

Francophile: a person who is fond or greatly admires France or the French

Oui! C’est moi! 

( Disclaimer: I am what the French call une technophobe, and I have no idea how to add the proper French accents to french words I use in this post. So please forgive me, my French spelling is tres mal…. )

Yes, that’s me! I am a declared francophile! Since I was in the seventh grade I have always had a fascination with all things French! I picked French as my foreign language even though I grew up in Southern California where Spanish would have been far more practical ( but who wants to go through life being practical about everything right? )

As I studied French I fell in love with croissants, chocolate, scarves, and fashion! It was during those formative years that a deep desire and longing to travel to France, particularly Paris, grew deeper and deeper within my heart.

Why I am I going on and on about my love of French culture when this is a pet blog you might ask? Stay with me and you will soon find out…

But first, the question I need to answer is why all of a sudden am I feeling all of this French inspiration?

Well, we’ve had nonstop rain here in Oregon, so I’ve been indoors more than I normally am, so therefore more time to waste on Youtube. One of my guilty pleasures…( and it’s a guilty pleasure because I spend way too much time doing it…) is watching French fashion videos on Youtube. And recently I found some really captivating channels that give wonderful tips on how to dress chic–that is like a Parisian! On one of these videos a gorgeous effortlessly fashionable French model gave a tour of her closet. I loved her clothes of course, but one detail in the video stood out more in my eyes… Her adorable fluffy cat sitting on the dresser watching the closet tour! 

Of course that ended up being my favorite part of the video!

Le Chat!! 

The French kitty is very popular in French culture. And the way her Parisian kitty watched her is exactly what my little fluffy Grizzabella does when I am in my room getting ready everyday!

That French cat inspired me to open my computer and research the love affair between the French and their cats. I never would have known how much the French loved cats if I hadn’t seen it for myself when I was there.

After college I lived in Europe for a little over a year. The beautiful city of Prague was my home! It’s where I discovered my love of cobblestone streets, spires, and goulash. It’s also the city where I taught English and theater in a small private pre-school. I loved Prague! But during school breaks I’d hop on a bus headed out of town and travel as much as I could! Of course, France was on the list. My friend Joanna and I ( also a lover of all things French and much better with the language than I was) traveled to Paris and Normandy together. And of course, it was everything I hoped and dreamed it would be! Or as the French say, “C’est magnifique!”

Somewhere between visiting museums; eating as many crepes and pastries as possible; and riding along the Seine river, I happened to notice that cats were everywhere!!

C’est Vrai! In fact, there is a charming French expression I learned: when a place is deserted and nobody is there, the French will say, “pas un chat!” Meaning, “not even a cat!”

Cats in the cobblestoned streets, cats in windows, in the parks, gardens, cafes, and even cemeteries! One particluar le chat I remember was an orange tabby who looked just like my cat Max who lived in Oregon with my parents and who I missed like carzy! Joanna and I were visiting Oscar Wilde’s tomb in the famous cemetery Pere Lachaise. While sitting and admiring this historic place, out of nowhere this orange tabby came up to me, head-butted my hand and rolled over on his back for belly rubs! Of course, this solidified it! I loved Paris!!

Food, fashion, art, culture, and cats everywhere!!!

Ahhh…Je t’aime Paris!!

French Cats in Books and Movies:

Cats really have been a big part of French culture over the years. In fact, there are books that are dedicated to le chat; many of them filled with pictures of cats all over Paris and France. One book in particular that highlights the cats in France is a darling children’s book entitled This is Paris by M. Sasek, a children’s writer and illustrator from Prague. Here are a few of the cats mentioned in Sasek’s book:

Kiki

Joseph

And Rita, the grocer’s cat

Growing up I also loved the MGM musical Gigi. Leslie Caron’s character had the sweetest gray cat that lived her and her grandmere. The cat slept in the windowsill and was serenaded by Gigi in one scene while she sang “say a prayer for me tonight.”

Historical French Figures Who Loved Cats:

Cardinal Richilieu: ( 1585-1642 ) The cardinal and statesman behind the throne as well as the villain and scene-stealer in The Three Musketeers. The cardinal was known to always have a cat on his lap. In fact, he had a cattery built at the Palais-Cardinal for his many cats. Richilieu preferred Persians and Angoras. This famous cat lover had fourteen cats at the time of his death! Also, some of those cats had some rather creative names.

…My favorite name of the bunch was Ludovic le Cruel, named for his savage dedication to killing rats!!!!

Theophile Gautier: ( 1811-1872 ) The French author was famous for his love of felines. He even wrote a book called Menagerie in Time about his domestic life with his cats. Now, as he lays to rest in his grave in Montmartre in Paris, a cat is carved in the top of the tomb peering out on the top of his headstone.

Charles Baudelair: ( 1821-1867 ) The famous French poet was famous for seeking out cats whether it was following them on the street or finding them in someone’s home. He was known for finding the cat and snuggling with it the rest of the evening completely ignoring the hosts and other humans in the surrounding room. One of his famous poems is even penned in dedication to the feline: Le Fleurs de Mal

” This voice, which seems to pearl and filter

Through my soul’s inmost shady nook,

Fills me with poems, like a book,

And fortifies me, like a philtre.”

Why Are There So Many Cats in France?

One reason is that in France cats aren’t sterilized until six months, whereas in the United States they are sterilized in eight weeks. And apparently, the French have more cats than dogs. In fact, 28% of French households own at least one cat, the most favorite animal de compagnie. In 2016, there were 12.7 million cats in France which means that some 400,000 cats might call Paris their home!!

How I Pretend I’m French:

On rainy dreary winter days like today, it is a perfect environment to imagine I’m in Paris.

How do I do this you might ask?

Put on my red listick, heels, brew a creamy cup of coffee, play French vintage jazz music, write, pretend I’m in a Parisian cafe, and speak to my cat Grizzabella in French!

“Ma petite cherie!”

Are any of you Francophiles as well? If so, how do you touch into your inner Parisian? Leave me your answer in the comments below.

But for now…

A bientot and Au Revoir!

“Hey, what about French bunnies? Maybe the French could call me le bun bun?

Oh Dasher!!!