Quai Voltaire

Quai Voltaire in 2011

The Quai Voltaire is a street located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. 308 meters long, it lies between the Quai Malaquais and Quai Anatole-France. The Quai Voltaire begins at the Rue des Saints-Pères and ends at the Rue de Bac and the Pont Royal.

History

A bookseller on the Quai Voltaire, 1821

Originally the Quai Voltaire was the western portion of the Quai Malaquais. In 1644 it was renamed Quai des Théatins after some Theatines built a monastery on the quai (Today located at No. 23 and No. 25 Quai Voltaire). In 1791, the wharf became known as the Quai Voltaire in homage to the writer who died in 1778 in the home of Charles, marquis de Villette. After Honoré de Balzac set his novel La Peau de chagrin in the Quai Voltaire, antique shops became common in the quai. In the early nineteenth century the area became a well-known place for booksellers to peddle their wares.

Buildings of note

References

  1. Stamberg, Susan (27 July 2006). "Art and History Intersect at a Paris Shop". Morning Edition. Retrieved 10 July 2012.

Coordinates: 48°51′32″N 2°19′51″E / 48.8590°N 2.3308°E