With its soft, blue-gray coat and rich copper eyes, your Chartreux kitten is the image of regal elegance. Though a fairly recent addition to the cat fancier, this beautiful breed has a long and stately history.
Legend has it that the breed received its name from the Carthusian monks of France, known for the favorite Chartreuse liqueur. Others point to the Spanish wool of the early 18th century as the breeds namesake, pointing out the similarities between the cats plush coats and the texture of their wool.
However they came by their name, Chartreux cats have made their home in France for centuries, being mentioned in documents as early as the 16th century. French cat lovers refined and standardized the breed. Though American breeders have brought the lovely cats stateside, the breed is still relatively rare in the United States, and was not accepted for championship status by the Cat Fanciers Association until 1987.
- Return to the Chartreux Breed Profile -