You adore cats but you have a small apartment and it's not possible for you to have one, or someone in your circle is against it? The solution to satisfy your furry craving can be found at 6 rue Jean de la Fontaine, facing Parking Graslin. It's Maison d'Elise, a cat café that opened its doors in August 2015 in Nantes. Follow us, we'll give you a tour of the place.
The concept of a cat café comes straight from Japan, where these establishments are called Neko Cafe, neko meaning cat in Japanese. The unique thing about these cafés is, as the name suggests, that customers can interact with a number of cats while enjoying their coffee, lunch or snack. A very popular concept in Japan, the trend is starting to emerge in France, but there are still few cat cafés on our lands.
Elise and Jûn, one of her magnificent Maine Coons
A true cat lover, Elise welcomes you from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 7pm for breakfast, lunch, or a delicious afternoon treat. It's in a modern setting with gray tones and well-placed touches of color that you will enjoy a gourmet stopover alongside the 5 Maine Coons who live here.
When birds allow you to take a picture of the 5 cats!
There are a few rules to follow when entering a cat bar. Among these rules that may seem obvious but are often forgotten: disinfecting your hands before touching the cats, not feeding them, not waking them up, ... Discover the other rules below:
The cats of La Maison d'Elise
La Maison d'Elise is the kingdom of cats, and humans are kindly invited there. The purpose of a cat bar is not to bother the cats that are there, by forcefully holding them on our laps, but rather to appreciate their presence and allow them to approach us when they decide to. They even have a room dedicated just for them, where they can go if they want to rest quietly without being disturbed.
We wouldn't want to wake him up...
We already introduced Jûn to you earlier, here is the rest of the team from La Maison d'Elise.
Gala
Second Maine Coon from La Maison d'Elise, Gala is a 10-year-old female. Very muscular and solid Blue in color, Gala loves to be scratched under the chin. Her favorite pastime? Sleeping!
Jerkhan
The 3rd Maine Coon of this cat bar is Jerkhan, a male red blotched tabby, who has the same dad as Jûn. The purring machine of the establishment, always looking for contact and cuddles!
Leiko
Always by the windows to see what's happening outside, Leiko is one of the youngest in the tribe. She joined La Maison d'Elise in July 2015, she is a black silver tortie. She loves to roll on your lap and enjoys being petted.
Miyazaki
The youngest of the tribe, Miyazaki arrived in June 2016 at La Maison d'Elise. This male cat is lovely and gentle. Still young, he loves to play and misbehave. Don't look into his eyes, you might just melt!
So it is alongside 5 Maine Coon, this long-haired cat breed originating from the state of Maine in the United States, that you will enjoy a gourmet break at La Maison d'Elise. The Maine Coon is characterized by its long fur, large size, and plumed tail. They are truly majestic, and are one of the largest domestic cat breeds.
What do we eat at La Maison d'Elise?
Cuddling with cats is very cute, but if you come to La Maison d'Elise, it's also for a gourmet break. Elise offers a nice selection of organic teas and infusions, artisanal coffees, and hot beverages. For cold drinks, we recommend the iced tea or the frappuccino. All cakes, pastries, and ice creams served are handmade by the Pasco pastry shop and Julie's Workshop.
For lunch, Elise welcomes you and offers a bagel (with 2 to 3 different fillings) served with a green salad. You can choose either the cake menu with a main dish, a cake, and a hot drink for 12 euros, or the pastry menu with a main dish, a pastry, and a hot drink for 14 euros.
Cat Café in Nantes: La Maison d'Elise
6 Rue Jean de la Fontaine - Nantes
09 81 17 18 33
from Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 7pm
closed on Sunday and Monday
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photo credit: Lauren-Kim Minn / La Maison d'Elise
