Last Updated on 17 September 2025 by Vanessa
During my recent trip to Paris, I made it my mission to check out the city’s cat cafés. I found two worth visiting: Le Café des Chats and Le Chat Mallows.
The first is your typical embodiment of Parisian charm. Nestled in the 11th arrondissement, this unique cat café blends everything I love about Paris: good food, a warm atmosphere, and a dozen ridiculously cute cats roaming the premises.
You may also like: The Ultimate Cat Enthusiasts’ Guide to Paris
Welcome to Le Café des Chats in Paris
What is a cat café?
Cat cafés originated in Taiwan in the late 1990s and quickly gained popularity across the globe.
These establishments provide a cozy atmosphere where you can relax, socialize, and enjoy refreshments in the presence of resident cats.
Cat cafés primarily aim to promote animal welfare, adoption, and human-animal interaction. They are a fun destination for both cat-loving locals and tourists.
Le Café des Chats: a typical Parisian café
Le Café des Chats distinguishes itself from other cat cafés thanks to its more subdued ambiance.
Unlike the vibrant, cat-centric décor of Le Chat Mallows, this café opts for warm shades and minimal cat-themed embellishments.
The result is an atmosphere reminiscent of a traditional Parisian café… except that here, you share space with a lovable feline community.
Meet the café cats
Le Café des Chats gives homeless cats a second chance at life.
Every furry resident comes straight from a local shelter and now enjoys a forever home inside the café. They’re sterilized, vaccinated, and cared for around the clock (special diets included if needed).
That alone makes me want to support this place.
Each cat also gets chosen for personality. They need to love people and get along with fellow felines to thrive here.
On top of that, the café goes through regular hygiene and animal welfare inspections from the DDPP, so both cats and humans can feel at ease.
Is the cat café stressful for cats?
Most cat cafés put the cats’ well-being first. Visitors also need to follow basic rules: let the cats sleep, don’t pick them up if they don’t want it, disinfect your hands when you walk in, and never sneak them human food. For that reason, many cafés restrict children or require close supervision.
I’ve visited more than 20 cat cafés around the world, and I’ve never seen stressed-out cats. Their comfort always comes first.
But even though the cats were carefully chosen for their social skills at Le Café des Chats, some of them looked unhappy in the busy and noisy café environment. Staff members focused more on serving customers than protecting the cats. I watched children pick them up against their will, poke toys in their faces, and chase them.
Sure, the cats can escape to a “cats only” area downstairs, but some clearly wanted to stay in their familiar upstairs space without being bothered. One white and ginger cat, in particular, tried everything to avoid the children, but he couldn’t get away. If he’d been up for adoption, I probably would have taken him home myself.
At the end of the day, visitors—especially kids—need to respect the cats’ boundaries and give them the space they deserve.
Le Café des Chats also serves up a solid dining experience.
The menu is surprisingly varied, with generous portions and fair prices—perfect for a long brunch or a casual dinner. You’ll find everything from fresh salads (goat cheese, Italian, or vegan) to hearty picks like burgers, cheese plates, and charcuterie.
If you’re craving comfort food, there’s lasagne, quiche, croque monsieur, and even homemade pies.
Honestly, the food selection here outshines most cat cafés I’ve visited.
What makes it even better is that a portion of the café’s revenue goes straight to animal welfare organizations. It’s nice to support a cause that matters.
Visiting Le Café des Chats: practical information
Opening hours
- Monday: closed
- Tuesday: 12:00 pm to 10:30 pm
- Wednesday: 12:00 pm to 10:30 pm
- Thursday: 12:00 pm to 10:30 pm
- Friday: 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm
- Saturday: 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm
- Sunday: 12:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Reservations
Unlike many other cat cafés, Le Café des Chats doesn’t take reservations. You just walk in.
The space is bigger than most cat cafés I’ve visited, though, so snagging a table shouldn’t be too hard.
However, it’s important to note that Le Café des Chats is also one of the busiest cat cafés in terms of popularity. It’s not uncommon to encounter a long queue of people waiting to enter.
So, if you plan to visit Le Café des Chats, be prepared for potential wait times during peak hours.
Address
Le Café des Chats, 9 Rue Sedaine, 75011 Paris, France.
How to get to Le Café des Chats
You’ll find Le Café des Chats in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. Luckily, it’s easy to reach by metro or bus.
By metro
The closest stations are Bastille and Bréguet-Sabin.
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From Bastille, walk down Rue de la Roquette, turn left onto Rue Sedaine, and the café will be on your left.
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From Bréguet-Sabin, head along Rue de la Roquette in the opposite direction, turn right onto Rue Sedaine, and you’ll see the café on your left.
By bus
Several lines stop nearby:
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Line 46 drops you at Bastille.
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Lines 69 and 76 stop at Bréguet-Sabin.
Both options put you just a short walk away from your coffee-and-cats experience.
Where to stay
Looking for accommodation in Paris? If you have the budget for it, you may want to stay at the luxurious hotel Le Bristol and meet its resident cat Faraon.
Famous tourist attractions near Le Café des Chats
Since Le Café des Chats is in 11th arrondissement, it puts you close to plenty of Parisian landmarks. After enjoying some feline company, you can easily explore these nearby spots:
Place de la Bastille
Just a short walk from the café, this historic square was once home to the Bastille prison, a key symbol of the French Revolution. Today, the July Column stands proudly in the center, commemorating the 1830 revolution. Take a stroll around the square, soak in the energy, and appreciate its historical significance.
Opéra Bastille
A stone’s throw away, the modern Opéra Bastille is a striking architectural landmark by Carlos Ott. Whether you catch a ballet or opera, or simply admire the building’s sleek design, it’s a must-see for anyone interested in culture.
Marché d’Aligre
This bustling market is perfect for wandering between stalls of fresh produce, artisanal goods, and local treats. It’s perfect to taste the flavors of Paris and to soak in the colorful, lively atmosphere.
Rue de la Roquette and Rue de Lappe
Looking for nightlife? These two streets are packed with bars, restaurants, and clubs. They’re the go-to spots for a fun evening out in the 11th arrondissement.
Cirque d’Hiver
This iconic circus is in operation since 1852. With its unique circular design, Cirque d’Hiver offers performances that have been captivating audiences for generations.
Conclusion: Is Le Café des Chats in Paris worth visiting?
Le Café des Chats captures the essence of Paris, mixing classic café culture with a love for cats.
What stood out most to me was the authentic Parisian vibe and the fact that you can enjoy a meal or a drink without feeling pressured to focus on the cats. This is great if you want to go there with friends who are not as crazy about cats as you are.
That said, the café can get very busy, which sometimes affects the cats’ comfort. Seeing a few unhappy residents did take away some of the warmth and charm I expected, despite the cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
And because the café is larger and popular, you might not get as much direct time with the cats compared to smaller, quieter spots.
Read next => Cats in Paris: 36 Stunning Photos of Cats in the City of Love
More cat cafés
If you want to visit even more cat cafés, check out my overview of all the cat cafés in France, which includes spots like La Ronronnerie in Nice and Chapristea in Toulouse.
I’ve also reviewed cat cafés all over the world, so if you’re planning a feline-filled trip abroad, you’ll find plenty of inspiration.
Now I’d love to hear from you. Have you ever visited Le Café des Chats? What did you think of it?
Text and photos by Vanessa Morgan
English version / version française
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