“Street of the Fishing Cat.” Can you imagine a street with such a whimsical name? That’s the Rue du Chat-qui-Pêche. Right here in Paris’s 5th arrondissement, this narrow lane holds secrets and stories.
The Rue du Chat-qui-Pêche is known as the narrowest street in Paris. It stretches a mere 29 meters. Its width measures only 1.80 meters. You could almost touch both sides with outstretched arms.
Let’s step back in time to 1540. That’s when the Rue du Chat-qui-Pêche was built. Back then, it ended right at the bank of the Seine.
The street’s name has evolved. It was first known as Rue des Étuves or Ruelle des Étuves. These names translate to “Street of the Ovens” or “Street of the Baths.” For a time, it was also called Rue du Renard. It shouldn’t be confused with the current Rue du Renard in the 4th arrondissement. Another past name was Rue des Bouticles. This means “Street of the Shops.”
The current name, Rue du Chat-qui-Pêche, appeared by 1636. It was then spelled “Rue du Chat qui pesche.” The name comes from a fishmonger’s sign. Dom Perlet, a canon, owned the fish shop. He had a black cat. This cat was famous for catching fish from the Seine with a single swipe of its paw.
Legend says Dom Perlet lived here in the 1600s. He dabbled in alchemy. His black cat was quite special. It could snatch fish from the Seine with ease.
Locals tell a curious tale. Three schoolboys saw the cat fishing. They thought it was black magic. They decided to take action. The boys killed the cat and tossed it in the river. At the same time, the sorcerer disappeared.
Eventually, the alchemist returned. He claimed he had been away. Soon after, the cat reappeared. It was again fishing by the river.
Both “Chat-qui-Pêche” and “Chat-qui-pêche” are correct. Both capitalizations are considered proper for the street’s name.
The Rue du Chat-qui-Pêche is near the Saint-Michel Métro station. You can reach it via its cross streets, including Rue de la Huchette.
Jolán Földes, a Hungarian author, lived here in 1930. She named one of her novels after the street. “A halászó macska uccája” is the literal Hungarian translation. Juan Gelman and Umberto Eco also mentioned it in their works.
While Rue du Chat-qui-Pêche is narrow, it is not the narrowest by minimum width. The Sentier des Merisiers is only 87 cm wide. The Passage de la Duée was once 80 cm wide before redevelopment.
So, as you stroll down the Rue du Chat-qui-Pêche, remember its history. Picture the black cat, Dom Perlet’s clever feline. Imagine the schoolboys and their suspicions. This narrow street is full of stories. It’s a tiny slice of Parisian history that captures the imagination.