Rue du Chat-qui-Peche (Street of the Fishing Cat) 鈥� Narrowest street in Paris, Paris
The Street of the Fishing Cat holds the distinction of being the narrowest street in Paris, stretching just 1.8 meters wide throughout its entire 29-meter length. While it claims to be the narrowest in terms of overall width, its status is contested by two other Parisian streets boasting in certain parts the minimum widths of 87 cm and 80 cm respectively, thus posing a serious challenge to the minimum width title.
Historically, this street has been in existence since 1540, initially serving as a staircase that led directly to the Seine before the embankment was built. Originally named Street of the Baths, it was later known as Fox Street, among other names. Sometime in 1636, it was officially titled Street of the Fishing Cat.
The latter name, deriving from the sign of a fishmongery owned by a canon named Dom Perlet, is enveloped in local lore. A popular legend suggests that Dom Perlet, reputed to be an alchemist, had a large black cat famous for its ability to catch fish in the Seine. It was rumored that the cat, perhaps with diabolical help, could catch fish with a single swipe of its paw. Suspected of being in league with the devil, the cat was thrown into the Seine by three students, only to reappear safe and sound later on alongside Dom Perlet, continuing its fishing exploits as if nothing had happened.
An alternative, more grounded hypothesis attributes the name to a clever play on words by a shopkeeper who depicted a fishing cat on the shop's sign, implying that in French the phrase "fishing cat" sounds similar to "everyone will fish out something for themselves here."
Today, numerous restaurants have their back doors open onto this street, releasing tantalizing smells of food from their kitchens, making it a pleasant respite from the crowded tourist routes between the bridges Saint Michel and Petit-Pont. You can take a shortcut through this street, easily touching both walls on its sides simultaneously. But before you enter, make sure you are slim enough to squeeze yourself through it without getting stuck...
Historically, this street has been in existence since 1540, initially serving as a staircase that led directly to the Seine before the embankment was built. Originally named Street of the Baths, it was later known as Fox Street, among other names. Sometime in 1636, it was officially titled Street of the Fishing Cat.
The latter name, deriving from the sign of a fishmongery owned by a canon named Dom Perlet, is enveloped in local lore. A popular legend suggests that Dom Perlet, reputed to be an alchemist, had a large black cat famous for its ability to catch fish in the Seine. It was rumored that the cat, perhaps with diabolical help, could catch fish with a single swipe of its paw. Suspected of being in league with the devil, the cat was thrown into the Seine by three students, only to reappear safe and sound later on alongside Dom Perlet, continuing its fishing exploits as if nothing had happened.
An alternative, more grounded hypothesis attributes the name to a clever play on words by a shopkeeper who depicted a fishing cat on the shop's sign, implying that in French the phrase "fishing cat" sounds similar to "everyone will fish out something for themselves here."
Today, numerous restaurants have their back doors open onto this street, releasing tantalizing smells of food from their kitchens, making it a pleasant respite from the crowded tourist routes between the bridges Saint Michel and Petit-Pont. You can take a shortcut through this street, easily touching both walls on its sides simultaneously. But before you enter, make sure you are slim enough to squeeze yourself through it without getting stuck...
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Paris. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Rue du Chat-qui-Peche (Street of the Fishing Cat) 鈥� Narrowest street in Paris on Map
Sight Name: Rue du Chat-qui-Peche (Street of the Fishing Cat) 鈥� Narrowest street in Paris
Sight Location: Paris, France (See walking tours in Paris)
Sight Type: Park/Outdoor
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Paris, France (See walking tours in Paris)
Sight Type: Park/Outdoor
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Paris, France
Create Your Own Walk in Paris
Creating your own self-guided walk in Paris is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Latin Quarter Walking Tour
The Latin Quarter of Paris, nestled on the Left Bank of the Seine, is a district steeped in academic history and artistic fervor, resonating with the echoes of scholarly discourse and bohemian lifestyle. This venerable area derives its name from the early use of Latin as the lingua franca in the universities, a tradition spearheaded by the Sorbonne University. This institution has shaped... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Souvenirs Shopping Walk
Being one of the world's premier shopping destinations, the French capital attracts thousands of shopaholics every year. Even those who hate shopping, enjoy doing it here. Renowned for its luxury and sophistication, Paris is a great place for finding unique and elegant souvenirs to cherish. Here are some must-visit places for souvenir shopping in the City of Light.
Lafayette Galleries... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.0 Km or 3.1 Miles
Lafayette Galleries... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.0 Km or 3.1 Miles
Champs-Elysees Walking Tour
On this self-guided walk you will witness the grandeur of the 8th arrondissement of the French capital 鈥� one of its busiest and chic neighborhoods, thanks to the presence of Avenue des Champs-Elys茅es, Arc de Triomphe, and Place de la Concorde.
Your best plan would be to start with the Triumphal Arch and walk up to its viewing area for great sights down the Champs-脡lys茅es 鈥� a lovely... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Your best plan would be to start with the Triumphal Arch and walk up to its viewing area for great sights down the Champs-脡lys茅es 鈥� a lovely... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Eiffel Tower Walking Tour
The 7th administrative district of Paris, a beacon of affluence and prestige, hosts an elite residential community and numerous national institutions of France, government offices, and diplomatic missions. This historical neighborhood is famed for its quintessentially Parisian architecture, vibrant caf茅s, restaurants, and gourmet shops that attract food enthusiasts from around the world.
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.6 Km or 2.9 Miles
Le Marais Walking Tour
Once a bourgeois area and still a major center of the Paris Jewish community, the Le Marais district is one of the hippest neighborhoods in the city. Boasting a wealth of narrow medieval streets, unique boutiques, and quirky establishments, it represents an eclectic blend of historical sites and the bustling energy of today.
Start your acquaintance with the area at Paris's City Hall 鈥� a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Start your acquaintance with the area at Paris's City Hall 鈥� a... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
St-Germain-des-Pres Walking Tour
This self-guided walk takes you to explore the 6th arrondissement, covering the quarter of St-Germain-des-Pr茅s, the riverside districts and the areas nearby the Luxembourg Garden. It is one of the most expensive districts of Paris, home to posh boutiques, eateries and iconic cafes once favored by philosophers and legendary writers, the likes of Hemingway and Camus. The area is likewise renowned... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
10 Unusual Things to Do in Paris, France
If you've visited Paris, you've probably seen the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and Versailles. You probably whizzed through some world-class art, ate delicious food in restaurants with English menus, and bought crepes from a street cart. However, Paris has a lot of things to do that...
8 Best Food Markets in Paris for Authentic French Produce
The image of Parisians that you may have in your head as strolling through a colourful market with a basket on their arm, chatting to vendors and picking up fresh produce, is quite accurate. Most Parisians do visit local markets at least once a week to stock up on the freshest fruit, vegetables,...
15 Places for Tasting Best French Desserts in Paris
If you have a sweet tooth and it wishes to "eat your way" through Paris, this guide will show you how! Featured here are some of the most famous and prominent dessert spots in the French capital, where you can grab something sweet to enjoy. With 20 listed recommendations, you should be...
18 Must-Visit Cafes in Paris, France
Paris is home to thousands of cafes; there is a caf茅 on practically every street corner you turn, in every square you stumble across, on every boulevard you stroll along. The age-old Parisian tradition of sitting around at rickety tables and shooting back espressos is a fundamental part of everyday...
Paris Souvenirs: 19 Distinctively French Products to Bring Home from Paris
You can hardly have enough money and luggage space to get all the takes your fancy in Paris. Luckily, with a little bit of tasteful advice and experience, you can save yourself some time and effort and pick up just about the right amount of things worth taking home. Listed here are some of the hints...
Top 16 Vegetarian Restaurants in Paris
The French have great respect for the fresh, organic produce yet France isn鈥檛 famous for its vegetarian cooking. Hence it鈥檚 a good idea for vegetarian visitors to Paris to come prepared in advance. This guide shows you places around the city which serve vegetarian food, complete with the...