Rue du Chat-qui-Peche (Street of the Fishing Cat) – 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...