In the 15th century, the King
of France passed a decree
whereby every boulangerie
had to, by law contain a space
of a metre between the Mur
du Four (Wall of the oven) and
Le Mur du Batiment, (Wall of
the building)

This space was an allocation
pour des chats (The Cats) to
sleep.

Pourquoi? (Why)

Because the flour was stored
on the floor and at night, when
the baker was asleep. the mice
would come and do their droppings.

The cats prevented this occurring.