Okay, so Maine is full of romantic legends. And the story linking Marie Antoinette’s cats with the Maine Coon breed probably comes from some huge lie handed down by drunken sailors, but it’s one of those tall tales that still gets told today.
Here’s the facts: Marie Antoinette planned to escape France during the Revolution. Her cats were among the possessions she planned to take with her aboard a get-away ship heading for Wiscasset, Maine. Marie Antoinette never made the journey to America. Her cats…did.
Here’s where it gets fuzzy: It’s said that the Queen’s cats made it to Maine where they were abandoned and wound up roaming the North Atlantic Coastline. Their coats grew long and shaggy as they adjusted to the bitter cold and snow.
Here’s where it gets downright silly: Some say the Queen’s cats mated with raccoons which led to the breed now known as the Maine Coon.
One thing you should know about Maine: There are cats everywhere!!! When I first moved here, I was fascinated by this fact. It even drove me to create a series of oddball illustrations.
Okay, I had NO idea about Marie Antoinette’s cats. That’s an awesome story.
Just wanted to take the opportunity to let you know that I’m enjoying Moose Mountain and it’s in my feed reader!
Thanks, Samantha.
Uh, I have a confession. Marie Antoinette actually had SIX cats that sailed to Maine, not three. I was just too lazy to draw all six.
I’m-I’m so ashamed.