Yes, you read that right. Forget the Atomium and Manneken Pis. Brussels has a new living monument. Hairy, plump and a little dented, Minouche, aka “le chat de Bruxelles”, has become a tourist attraction… without asking for anything. Rated 4.8 on Google Maps, this unpredictable cat attracts the curious, feline fans and lovers of urban oddities. A typically brusseleir phenomenon!
A feline, stars and lots of love
With his grandmotherly name, sphinx-like presence and plush, well-fed figure, Minouche, a.k.a. “the Brussels cat”, has everyone purring. His Google Maps page – yes, a real one – is racking up rave reviews and 5 stars are raining down like croquettes. “I haven’t seen it, but I like it already”, writes a conquered Internet user. Between mystery and softness, Minouche is establishing herself as the new unofficial mascot of the Belgian capital. And although the tomcat has only one ear and no tail, he’s created a buzz without advertising or marketing, just a little fur and a lot of nonchalance.
A feline apparition, always unpredictable
Coming across Minouche is like winning the lottery: it happens when you least expect it. He is said to have taken up residence at the restaurant Le Coin Gourmand, rue du Marché aux Herbes. Sometimes visible on a terrace, sometimes on a store counter, he’s elusive, like all felines! Some tourists even plan their itinerary in the hope of a face-to-face encounter. But like any self-respecting cat, it obeys no logic – except that of the great feline mystery. And this vagueness obviously contributes to its legend.
A Brussels buzz
While other attractions use digital strategies to stay visible, Minouche has figured it all out: going viral without lifting a finger. It’s neither erected nor in the guidebooks, yet it’s packed to the rafters. The Google listing may have mysteriously disappeared, but the fervor remains intact. Minouche isn’t just a cat, it’ s an experience, an urban treasure hunt. In 2025, the most popular selfies are no longer taken in front of the Atomium, but in front of a plump cat! Meow, Brussels.