A brief passage in The Big Four provides original information about Poirot's birth or at least childhood in or near the town of Spa, Belgium or in the village of Ellezelles (province of Hainaut, Belgium – a few memorials dedicated to Hercule Poirot can be seen in the center of this village): "But we did not go into Spa itself. We left the main road and wound into the leafy fastnesses of the hills, till we reached a little hamlet and an isolated white villa high on the hillside." Christie strongly implies that this "quiet retreat in the Ardennes" near Spa is the location of the Poirot family home.
Also, in Three Act Tragedy, Poirot mentions that he came from a poor family growing up, so that sort of contradicts the idea that the Poirot family home could be a prominent villa. The fact is, Poirot often lies about his family and background during cases to get reactions from suspects. What's mentioned about Poirot's early life is contradictory.
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