Chance to chill out with cats

A ‘cat café’ has opened in Paris – with free drinks, cats to stroke, and cat experts on hand – but only for this week

CAT LOVERS in the capital are spoiled for choice this week for places to relax with feline company as a large ‘cat café’ opens in the city centre near Les Halles.

However you will have to hurry if you want to chill out along with cats including Siamese, maine coons, Turkish angoras, Balinese and others, who have been loaned by their owners for this week – it is only open until the end of Saturday.

There are two spaces at Café Chat Purina One, one for admiring and stroking the cats and one where you can talk to specialists about cat behaviour and wellbeing.

As an extra plus, the cafe (open 11.00 to 19.00 at 5 rue Turbigo) is completely free – including coffee and non-alcoholic drinks. The aim for the organisers – who make cat food – is promotional.

It comes after two permanent cat venues were opened previously in Paris, inspired by ‘Neko cafes’ in Japan.

A tearoom opened in the Marais in 2013 and a second opened at Bastille last year after the first proved to be a hit.