During the Belle Époque, the Montmartre neighborhood in Paris was not just home to artists and poets—it was also known for its affectionate relationship with animals—especially cats. The winding alleys, open garbage, and general lack of sanitation made rodents a constant nuisance.

Many cafés, cabarets, and bistros had resident cats, often referred to as "ratteurs officiels"—official ratters. These cats weren’t just tolerated—they were named, pampered, and sometimes featured on menus or signage.

Old stories tell that some cats “decided” whether a customer was worthy of service.  If the cat liked you, the staff would bring you a drink without being asked.  If the cat ignored you, you’d have to wait or be skipped entirely.

Some patrons would try to win the cats over with saucers of cream…