Chartreux
Discover the Chartreux, the rare French blue cat known for its smiling face, quiet nature, and exceptional hunting skills.
The Chartreux is a rare, large, and muscular French cat with a blue-grey double coat, copper eyes, and a distinctive "smile." While they are exceptional hunters and generally healthy, they are known for being quiet, often rarely making a sound, and tend to bond deeply with a single person.
Physical traits and the "smile"
These cats are classified as cobby, meaning they are large and muscular with relatively short, fine-boned limbs, yet they possess very fast reflexes. Their coat is a water-resistant short hair double coat that is often slightly thick in texture, frequently showing "breaks" that resemble sheepskin. The eyes are a striking orange or copper, and the head structure features a tapered muzzle that gives the cat the appearance of smiling. They are not just decorative; historically, they were prized by farmers for their hunting abilities.
How the naming system works
Every Chartreux born in the same year shares an official name that begins with the same letter, a system that encodes the year of birth. These code letters rotate through the alphabet annually, but the letters K, Q, W, X, Y, and Z are omitted. For instance, a Chartreux born in 2021 would have an official name starting with the letter S. This unique convention ensures that the age of any registered cat can be identified instantly from its name.
History and near extinction
The breed's history is documented as far back as 1558 in a poem by Joachim du Bellay, and they appear in a 1747 painting by Jean-Baptiste Perronneau. While legends suggest the cats were brought to France by Carthusian monks or Crusaders, the Prior of the Grande Chartreuse denied in 1972 that the monastery's archives supported the monk connection. The breed faced significant decline during the First World War, and wild populations were not seen after the Second World War, except perhaps in Belle-Île-en-Mer where the Léger sisters began breeding the best subjects. A concerted effort by European fanciers saved the breed, and the first Chartreux arrived in the U.S. in 1971. The Cat Fanciers' Association granted the breed championship status in 1987, though as of 2007, there were fewer than two dozen active breeders in North America.
Temperament and behavior
Chartreux cats are notably quiet, rarely meowing or crying, with some individuals being completely mute. They are highly intelligent and observant, with some capable of operating radio on/off buttons or opening screen door latches. They take about two years to reach adulthood but remain playful well into their adult years. Unlike many cats, some can be taught to fetch small objects in a manner similar to dogs. They are non-aggressive, affectionate, and generally good travelers. While they are loving to the whole household, they typically bond with one specific person, preferring to stay in their vicinity and often following that favored person from room to room.
Cultural significance
The Chartreux has appeared in notable roles in French culture and popular media. The mascot of the Montreal International Jazz Festival is a blue Chartreux named 'Ste Cat'. Historically, famous owners included the French novelist Colette, who featured a Chartreux as the heroine of her books, and the French president Charles de Gaulle, whose cat Gris-Gris famously followed him from room to room.