The hidden Provencal estate where I learned the words, "Pour vivre heureux vivons cachés"
Au milieu + horses in the sea of La Ciotat!

Un Matou + A Most Unusual and Creative Concept for Cat Adoption in Marseilles: Café "Le Coin des Chat'Mis"

le coin des chatmis chat mis marseille chat adoption
Today's bilingual story was written by my sister-in-law, Cécile. Don't miss this report on an unusual café in Marseilles....

Today's word: un matou

    : tomcat

Example sentence:

Derrière un vitre je peux déjà voir un gros matou qui dort du sommeil du juste dans son panier. Behind a window, I can already see a big tomcat who is sleeping like a baby in his basket.


LE COIN DES CHAT'MIS

par Cécile Espinasse, artisan at Courbes et Diagnoles Design

Chaque soir je prends à partir du Vieux-Port le bus 57 pour rentrer chez moi: C´est une ligne de quartier, où les bus sont plus petits parce que par chez nous, là haut, les rues sont étroites et que les grands bus ne passeraient pas.

Every night I take number bus 57 from the Old Port to go home: It's a neighborhood line, where the buses are smaller because from where we live, up there, the streets are narrow and the big buses would not pass through.

Tout le monde sur cette ligne se connait, au moins de vue et , engager la conversation n´est pas un problème. Chacun y va de son petit commentaire sur tout et rien, mais Marseille c´est çà aussi, cela fait partie du folklore!

Everyone on this line knows each other, at least from sight, and engaging in conversation is not a problem. Everyone has his little comment on everything and nothing, but Marseille is like that, it's part of its folklore!

Aussi, lorsque à un feu rouge ma voisine a tourné la tête, machinalement j´ai fait la même chose. J´ai tout de suite remarqué qu´un nouveau local venait d´ouvrir: Un bar? Salon de thé? Son nom : "Le Coin des Chat´Mis". Intriguée je regarde la devanture où, des pattes de chats étaient peintes sur le trottoir et sur la façade.

So then, when at a traffic light my neighbor turned her head, mechanically I did the same thing. I immediately noticed that a new business had just opened: A bar? Tea Room? Its name: "The Cat-Friends Hangout". Intrigued I looked at the front where cats paws were painted on the pavement and on the facade.

A voix haute pour moi même mais en regardant ma voisine je dis "tiens un nouveau local?!" Son nom est un jeu de mots. En général on peut lire "Le bar des amis "Tout pensait à croire que les amis en question étaient des chats... Ma voisine me dit qu´en effet dans cet établissement des chats de la rue sont recueillis, soignés, vaccinés, et proposés à l´adoption. Qu´on peut venir les rencontrer en buvant un thé, et grignoter quelque chose.

A little louder than I usually speak, I looked at my neighbor and said, "look at that, a new place?!" Its name is a play on words. Generally one reads "The bar of the friends." Everything led to the belief that the friends in question were cats ... My neighbor tells me that indeed, in this establishment, stray cats are collected, cared for, vaccinated, and put up for adoption. Here, we can meet them as we drink tea and nibble on something.

IMG_1352
J´adore les chats... et moi qui ne sort pas beaucoup de mon atelier je me dis que ce serait sympa d´y faire un tour!
I love cats ... and I don't often leave my workshop, I told myself that it would be nice to have a look!

Je descends donc pour me rendre compte de plus près de la situation: La 1ere porte est fermée à clé et il faut sonner pour rentrer, mais derrière un vitre je peux déjà voir un gros matou qui dort du sommeil du juste dans son panier et que rien ne perturbe...

So I went down to have a closer look at the situation: The first door is locked and you have to ring to get in, but behind a window I can already see a big cat sleeping like a baby in his basket and nothing disturbs him ...


IMG_1352
On vient donc m´ouvrir et m´expliquer que oui en effet, les chats sont ici pour être adoptés après avoir vécu dans la rue. Il y a çà et là, des perchoirs pour que les chats puissent grimper, des couvertures douillettes où ils peuvent dormir, des jouets pour qu´ils puissent s´épanouir... Et puis il y a surtout un tas de gens, parents et enfants qui , partageant un gouter, rencontrent ces animaux qui ont l´air bien détendus ma foi...

So someone opened up and explained to me that yes indeed, cats are here to be adopted after living on the street. There are, here and there, perches so that cats can climb, cozy blankets where they can sleep, toys so that they can flourish ... And then there are mostly a lot of people, parents and children who, sharing an afternoon snack, meet these animals who seem so relaxed--my goodness ...

le coin des chatmis marseilles cat adoption france
Il y a forcément une star! Grisou, 6,6kg, il dort comme un bienheureux et aucunes caresses, ni aucun flash de photos ne le réveille. Il est juste magnifique et impressionnant, avec lui on se sent en sécurité, un vrai garde du corps! la force tranquille et évidement il a trouvé une maison d´adoption ! Il y a aussi Jersey qui a le coup de pattes facile mais qui n´a qu´une envie, c´est de jouer. Chacun évidement avec son caractère bien trempé. Celui qui dort derrière la vitrine est plutôt solitaire, une autre parait-il voulait jouer avec tous les autres chats mais ne rencontrait pas l´unanimité... Dommage... !!

There's always got to be a star! Grisou, 6,6kg, sleeps like a blessed one and no caresses, nor any flash of photos wakes him up. He is just gorgeous and impressive, with him you feel safe, he's a real bodyguard! With his quiet strength obviously he found a home of adoption! There is also Jersey who has an easy swat but who has only one desire: to play. Each of course with its strong character. The one sleeping behind the window is rather lonely, another seems to want to play with all the other cats but is not finding any takers ... Too bad ... !!

IMG_1352
J´ai bu un café, partagé un moment avec tous ces gens qui comme moi aiment les chats et font une donation pour leur nourriture, leur vaccin.Un peu de douceur dans ce monde de brutes, ca ne peut pas faire de mal! Miaaaaoooo....

I had a coffee, shared a moment with all these people who like me like cats and donate for their food, their vaccine. A little sweetness in this world of brutes, it can not hurt! Miaaaaoooo ....

***
Thanks, Cécile, for this delightful report. I saw so many French new French words and expressions that I'd like to use in conversation! Cécile, you are not only a wonderful sister-in-law, you are, like Grisou, a star. I so enjoy your writing and your creativity. (More at Courbes et Diagonales)

Le Coin des Chat'Mis on Facebook
55 Boulevard Vauban (14.00 mi) Marseille, France 13006 07 67 47 19 58


FRENCH VOCABULARY
étroit  = narrow
chat'mis = wordplay for chat + amis = cat friends
la devanture = store front, front window, vitrine
un jeu de mots = a play on words
grignoter = to snack
atelier = workshop
faire un tour = have a look around
un matou = tomcat
ça et là = here and there
dormir du sommeil du juste = the sleep of the just, to sleep like a baby
s'épanouir = feel at ease, joyful, open up
avoir un caractère bien trempé = to have a strong character, to be resilient
la douceur = tenderness

The cat in the hat

The Cat in the Hat (in English and French)
The Cat Who Walked Across France, by Kate Banks
The French Cat: a stunning exploration of the country and its felines
My friend Suzanne's cat blog: Living With Loulou: A French Kitty Comments on Just About Everything
In cat supplies: the litter cat's love and Fancy Feast, Tuscany Collection
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For more online reading: The Lost Gardens: A Story of Two Vineyards and a Sobriety

Comments

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Catherine Berry (But you are in France, Madame)

Sweet characters and gentleness run in your family. You are all so very lucky.

Catherine Berry (But you are in France, Madame)

...and love the play on words for the cat hang-out!

Katie

Lovely story - thank you for sharing!

Eileen deCamp

Bonjour Cécile and Kristi,

I so enjoyed your story today Cécile! What a fun place to grab a bite and visit with the cats! Thank you for sharing the story and your photos!

Eileen

Judi

Thank you Cecile for the great story about the cat cafe. It was fun to read on French and English. I just read they will be opening a cat cafe in Los Angeles -looking forward to it. A great service for adopting cats and bring humanity some warm fuzzies!

Laura Slagle

What a charming story!! Thanks for sharing, you two ‘sisters!’

tonton

In para 3 you spell the word for a cat's feet 'pates' with a circomflex on the 'a'.
This should be 'pattes' as the former means a paste, dough or batter.
Incidentally a female cat is une chatte, a word which has another meaning..........

Katya

Brilliant concept! Wonderful story!

Dave Kapsiak

We have something similar here in Oakland, California. Your story has intrigued me, so now I will investigate; Thanks. Cecile is the artist who works in metal?

https://www.cattownoakland.org/

Nancy

What a charming story and cafe. Enjoyed the alternating paragraphs. Thanks for sharing.

Jeffrey Swanson

The expression “le sommeil du juste” exists also in English. We say “the sleep of the just” referring to those who sleep with a clear conscience. This has given rise to the old joke that, the only thing better than the sleep of the just is the sleep of the just after...

Brigitte

I had recommanded your site to students, but very often I find grammar or gender mistakes in your stories. I will not recommand reading you any longer.

Maryn

There is already a cat café in Paris, on Rue Sedaine in the 11e.

Faye LaFleur

I am not a cat person but delightful story and appreciate the French...thanks Cecile! At this particular point in my life I am trying to let go of the "perfectionism" (not a French teacher/student) and , for most part, mostly interested in conversational French so as to speak french w/ French when I am around them! Thanks!

Angie

I love this idea! What a great story! I'd love to share this story on my blog as well, but I don't see a repost. So I shall share with the other options. I would love to see more innovative ways like this to get animals off the streets and into homes. Way to go! Thanks for sharing!

Patricia Sands

Thanks to you and Cécile! These bilingual stories in such a warm conversational tone are so helpful. I love this café concept, although I fear I would have difficulty leaving without a new family member. @+

Janet

Brigitte, Maybe you could challenge your students to find the mistakes?

Noreen Cochran

Thank you for sharing this heartwarming story. Having had cats for many years, I am very happy to know that this business exists! J'adore!

Cynthia

Brigitte,
Don’t you mean recommend, not “recommand”. I’m sure your students would know the difference. Kristi’s stories are from her heart, sincere and honest. Enjoy them!

Kristin Espinasse


Thank you, Jeffrey, this is helpful as I was not familiar with this expression. I will change my translation and update the post. P.S. ha ha! (the sleep of the just after)

Elaine Snider

Love Cecile's story - thanks for sharing it with us. We are a cat family here in Alabama - only one living with us now as our Pearl girl ' crossed the rainbow bridge' a couple of weeks ago. Do the French use this euphemism for the deaths of their pet animals?

Lynne Schweitzer

Loved this! Kind of makes me want to run out and get a cat! Enjoyed the new vocabulary.

Gabrielle

I taught French for many years. One of the things I learned early on is that obsessing about perfection in learning any language only impairs one's progress. I challenge you to check out your friends' comments on Facebook and you will find that native speakers make grammar and usage mistakes often! So what? It is all part of learning, isn't it?

Janet's reply to your comment is wise. Rather than abandon this blog, use it to your and your students' advantage. Happy lifelong learning!


Teresa

I actually loved this guest post, Kristi! Thanks for putting the translation after each paragraph, that really helps.

I love all your posts and have for years. I sent you a little something in PayPal--it's from Michael Meek, because we share the account. I sure hope you can keep the blog going--we're all hooked now.

tonton

Don't think much of your spelling either, Brigitte, it's recommended not recommanded.

Chris Allin

You do need to check your own grammar/spelling first!

Lisa Kennedy

Hi Kristi, As you know, I love reading your posts and find them really informative and good for the soul. I rarely comment though, but today I just had to let you (and Cécile) know how much I enjoyed this piece about (and photos of) the cat cafe. What a brilliant and novel idea! Thanks to you both for sharing. I try to keep my French from getting too rusty so tried to read the French paragraphs first but ended up cheating and was glad of your translations!

Mike Young

This is a good way of doing things - a paragraph in french, followed by the English translation. For people who no longer use French daily, it's a very effective way of brushing up vocabulary.

Thank you Cécile & Kristi - two Espinasses are definitely better than one!

Mike Young

I wrote that too late at night. What I really meant to say was that three Espinasses are better than two. Sorry

Natalia

Our dear Kristi,
Thank you for sharing Cecile's wonderful story with us!
I especially enjoyed being in both French and English,and accompanied by some great vocabulary!
Your posts always find a way to fill our days with uplifting thoughts,and with all the unending darkness of animal abuse
Reports,this is indeed nothing short of a breath of fresh air.
Thank you!
Love
Natalia. Xo

Loulou

Oh, Kristin, what a wonderful place to get to know kitties and visit with them and fall in love, one hopes, with one or two. So kind of you to mention my blog and being a feral who found paradise in southern France, I really appreciate your story (beautifully translated) about this amazing café.
Merci. Loulou PS I think I am related to that very, very relaxed Tuxie....

K. J. Laramie

Incredibly helpful to have alternating paragraphs for the beginners! Merci! And what a lovely, well-written story!

Katia

Such a delightful story about an equally delightful cat hangout spot. I have been hearing a lot as of late about cat cafes that are popping up in various cities. Such a lovely idea! Thank you, Kristi, for sharing your SIL's writing and alternating the paragraphs in English and French. It's very helpful.

Jules Greer

Thank you my precious Cecile....I had no clue that you were also a talented writer. I loved your story and photo's. Next time I am in
France I simply must come and visit you for one night,so I can visit
your studio and have café with the cats. I am always so proud of your
life and talent. xoxo Jules

Herm in Phoenix, AZ

Enjoyed the bi-lingual story, Cécile.

In Phoenix, abandoned cats or those left outdoors unattended are easy prey for the coyotes that roam our streets.

Cats that do survive as homeless cats are called feral cats. They are trapped by the authorities, given the necessary vaccinations, neutered and returned to the location where they were found in an attempt to avoid feral communities in a humane method.

Note on typo: Sometimes writers put an error in their writing to see if people are reading the stories. . . that's my excuse and you're welcome to use it.

Herm

Janet

I really enjoyed this little taste of Marseilles. How lovely for the cats to know peace and security, and to have a little time to get used to the company of people before finding a new home.
Kristi, I am looking forward to seeing a film at the French Film Festival in Australia , called L'Atelier, by a great French Director, starring Marina Foïs. It is set in La Ciotat. I am hoping it was actually filmed there, as this is not always the case. L'as-tu vu? Have you seen it?

Janet

I have found that as I have learnt a second language ( French, and a little Spanish) , my grasp of English spelling has loosened a little- apartment or appartement, weekend or week- end? That is fine, as my life has been enriched by the French, and of course the knowledge of France's history and culture which has come with it. In reality, as a native speaker of Australian English ( Aussie) , I already had had to contend with variations in pronunciation and spelling by the Brits, and especially the Americans. And now I have the auto- correction of my iPad to contend with. It really has a mind of its own.
When I was first asked by my French teacher what I hoped to achieve, I naively said that I wanted to learn enough French to " be the same person speaking French that I was in speaking English". But of course language changes thought and its expression. What a delight!
Another Janet

Louis.bogue@yahoo.com

Thanks Kristi, just another good story your famous for, trust all is well in your new home, must meet Cecile on my next trip over Best to you and yours, Lou

Elizabeth

So enjoyed today's story. This idea is wondering I hope it will catch on more to help our beautiful cats who get lefted because people do not understand them. Thank you.

Cecile

Sweet Jules, you´re welcome anytime ! Hope you know that...
Xoxo xxx Cécile

Angie

Regarding the comment about the typos, I recall a very old saying from Spain: "cuando las barbas de tu vecino vayas a cortar, pon primero las tuyas a remojar", meaning: "When your neighbor's beard you are going to cut, put yours in water first to soften up"!!! How coincidentally appropriate!
Enjoy "la belle vie" -- it's often short!
Merci everyone for your positive comments.
Angie

Leslie NYC

It struck me in the photos how deeply the cats seem to be sleeping, as if healing from a lifetime of exhaustion. Now they are safe and wanted. How lovely. Animals do bring out our humanity.
Thank you for this view of a corner of Marseille, and for the positive possibilities that exist.

Mara

Muphry's law is an adage that states: "If you write anything criticizing editing or proofreading, there will be a fault of some kind in what you have written."[1] The name is a deliberate misspelling of "Murphy's law". [from Wikipedia] This indicates how often such mistakes happen. Therefore, I propose that we all allow both Kristi and Brigette to be forgiven, and hope we all learn together.

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