On October 14th, a new version of Les Misérables, directed by Fred Cavayé, will be released in theaters. This occasion invites a return to the places that inspired Victor Hugo in Montfermeil, the town where the author set the infamous inn of the horrible Thénardier family and the encounter between Cosette and Jean Valjean.
While the exact location of the Thénardier inn remains speculative, the fountain of Cosette, now known as the Jean-Valjean fountain, can still be seen today. Hugo described Montfermeil as 'a rather large town adorned, all year round, with plaster villas and, on Sundays, with blooming bourgeois,' a contrast to the village in the woods it was in 1823.
In the 'Book Three' of Les Misérables, published in 1862, Hugo introduces the characters of the Thénardier family and Jean Valjean's rescue of Cosette. The author set the story in this 'peaceful and charming place,' without clear reasons for this choice.
Jean-Marc Hovasse, a professor of French literature at Sorbonne Université, notes that while Victor Hugo's life is generally well-known, his visits to Montfermeil are shrouded in mystery. He suggests that Hugo likely visited for reconnaissance, probably in September 1845, possibly accompanied by Léonie Biard d’Aunet.
The inn known as 'Le Sergent de Waterloo,' a presumed setting, never existed under that name. However, a cabaret called 'Au Rendez-Vous d’Austerlitz' was located at 5, rue de la Halle, near the church, as mentioned by Hugo in his novel. Pierre Girault, president of the historical society 'Montfermeil et sa région,' points out that the current red-brick house at this address is far from the hovel described by the author. He also notes the absence of any mention of the cemetery, which was present near the church at the time, suggesting it might be a 'poetic license'.
Walking through the streets of Montfermeil allows one to imagine the novel's events. The steep Vieux Chemin de l’Abîme evokes Cosette's descent to the fountain, while the peaceful grounds of the Arboretum offer a contrast to Hugo's ominous descriptions of forests.
The Buisson fountain, renamed Jean-Valjean in 1865, is where Jean Valjean meets Cosette. A sculpture by Antoine Gilbert has accompanied it since 1985, and a sign indicates its water is not potable.
Strolling along the lake of the Arboretum, one can reflect on Hugo's quote: 'There are no weeds or bad men. There are only bad farmers.' This sentiment resonates with Ladj Ly's film Les Misérables, another native of Montfermeil, which was set in the nearby concrete environment of the Bosquets housing project.
Over 160 years after the publication of Les Misérables, societal inequalities remain a concern. However, it is heartening that creators continue to address this issue.
