A black panther escaped from its home and prowled the rooftops of a French town.

The animal, which wildlife experts believe was about six-months old, was being kept as a pet and got out through an open window while its owner was on holiday, French media reported.

Police officers, firefighters and the National Wildlife Conservation Authority combined to bring in the big cat after it caused a stir in the town of Armentieres, near Lille.

"She is beautiful, wonderful to see in real life," one neighbour told La Voix du Nord newspaper.

Dozens of people ringed the row of houses to watch the panther explore the rooftops, forcing emergency workers to erect a cordon.

Black Panther causes panic near Lille Show all 10 1 /10 Black Panther causes panic near Lille Black Panther causes panic near Lille A handout image made available by the Sapeurs-pompiers du Nord on September 19, 2019, shows a Black Panther walking along the roof guttering of a building in ArmentiÃ¨res, northern France early evening on September 18, 2019. - The big cat, owned illegally by a private individual, was captured as it "wandered" on the roof of a residential building like an ordinary gutter cat, French firefighters said. AFP/Getty Black Panther causes panic near Lille A handout image made available by the Ligue Protectrice des Animaux du Nord de la France (LPA-NF) on September 19, 2019, shows a Black Panther after it was captured by French firefighters wandering along the roof guttering of a building in ArmentiÃ¨res, northern France on September 18, 2019. - The big cat, owned illegally by a private individual, was captured as it "wandered" on the roof of a residential building like an ordinary gutter cat, French firefighters said. AFP/Getty Images Black Panther causes panic near Lille A panther is seen after being seated, in League of the Protection of Animals (LPA) shelter in Lille, France Reuters Black Panther causes panic near Lille A handout image made available by the Ligue Protectrice des Animaux du Nord de la France (LPA-NF) on September 19, 2019, shows a Black Panther after it was captured by French firefighters wandering along the roof guttering of a building in ArmentiÃ¨res, northern France on September 18, 2019. - The big cat, owned illegally by a private individual, was captured as it "wandered" on the roof of a residential building like an ordinary gutter cat, French firefighters said. AFP/Getty Black Panther causes panic near Lille A handout image made available by the Sapeurs-pompiers du Nord on September 19, 2019, shows a Black Panther sedated, and carried away, after it was captured by French firefighters wandering along the roof guttering of a building in ArmentiÃ¨res, northern France on September 18, 2019. - The big cat, owned illegally by a private individual, was captured as it "wandered" on the roof of a residential building like an ordinary gutter cat, French firefighters said. AFP/Getty Black Panther causes panic near Lille A handout image made available by the Sapeurs-pompiers du Nord on September 19, 2019, shows a Black Panther sedated, and carried away, after it was captured by French firefighters wandering along the roof guttering of a building in ArmentiÃ¨res, northern France on September 18, 2019. - The big cat, owned illegally by a private individual, was captured as it "wandered" on the roof of a residential building like an ordinary gutter cat, French firefighters said. AFP/Getty Black Panther causes panic near Lille A handout image made available by the Sapeurs-pompiers du Nord on September 19, 2019, shows a Black Panther walking along the roof guttering of a building in ArmentiÃ¨res, northern France early evening on September 18, 2019. - The big cat, owned illegally by a private individual, was captured as it "wandered" on the roof of a residential building like an ordinary gutter cat, French firefighters said. AFP/Getty Black Panther causes panic near Lille A handout image made available by the Sapeurs-pompiers du Nord on September 19, 2019, shows a Black Panther walking along the roof guttering of a building in ArmentiÃ¨res, northern France early evening on September 18, 2019. - The big cat, owned illegally by a private individual, was captured as it "wandered" on the roof of a residential building like an ordinary gutter cat, French firefighters said. AFP/Getty Black Panther causes panic near Lille A handout image made available by the Sapeurs-pompiers du Nord on September 19, 2019, shows a Black Panther walking along the roof guttering of a building in ArmentiÃ¨res, northern France early evening on September 18, 2019. - The big cat, owned illegally by a private individual, was captured as it "wandered" on the roof of a residential building like an ordinary gutter cat, French firefighters said. AFP/Getty Black Panther causes panic near Lille A handout image made available by the Sapeurs-pompiers du Nord on September 19, 2019, shows a Black Panther walking along the roof guttering of a building in ArmentiÃ¨res, northern France early evening on September 18, 2019. - The big cat, owned illegally by a private individual, was captured as it "wandered" on the roof of a residential building like an ordinary gutter cat, French firefighters said. AFP/Getty

The creature reportedly remained calm throughout, occasionally pausing to watch a train go by or observe a domestic cat.

"In 20 years of service I've never seen that," a police officer said.

Eventually the panther re-entered its home and firefighters took the chance to put a long ladder against the building, blocking the window.