Voltaire in Châtenay-Malabry, Hauts-de-Seine (92), France: Literary Île-de-France #42

Although often said to have been born in Paris, Voltaire himself declared on several occasion that he was born in Châtenay-Malabry (Voltaire's parents having stayed in the town the same year as his birth), and this small town in Hauts-de-Seine clearly proclaims this.

Le Voltaire at 1 place Voltaire has a bar-café that also exploits the person it sees as its famous son.

And on the roof is a statue niche with a bust of Voltaire that was erected here in the first half of the 19th century.

At the crossroads on the principal street there's a really impressive bust of Voltaire, with a fountain.

On the back of it is a quotation of Voltaire's, stating that the best work he'd perflormed was in doing a little good:

'J'AI FAIT

UN PEU DE BIEN

C'EST MON

MEILLEUR OUVRAGE

VOLTAIRE

1694—1778'