The voltigeurs were the shortest men of the battalion  and best suited for skirmishing, ladder climbing, and urban
combat.
In 1805-1806 was introduced requirement of 2 years of excellent service for being admitted into voltigeurs.

The voltigeurs were a new branch of infantry and were introduced by Napoleon in 1803. The Decree issued in March
1803 ordered raising a 10th Company in the regiments of light infantry. These were voltigeurs and were formed by
taking the 6 smallest men from every chasseur company in the battalion.  In December was decided that the
voltigeurs won't be taller than 4'11' (French) and their officers not exceed 5'.
In regiments of line infantry the 3rd Fusilier Company became Voltigeur Company.

In 1808 the voltigeurs were officially assigned to the left of battalion line (on the right flank stood the robust
grenadiers).  In 1809-1810 the voltigeurs were granted a higher pay.

The voltigeurs were the best suited troopers for skirmishing, ladder climbing, urban combat, and for scouting. The
voltigeurs were trained in firing rapidly and accurately and were expected to be able to march at the trot. Napoleon
also wanted them to vault up behind cavalrymen on horses but in real combat this happened only very few times.

Sometimes the voltigeur companies were detached from their parent battalions and formed in large formations for
specific tasks. Chlapowski writes: "... the Emperor himself arrived there and sent Talhouet with 200 voltigeurs across
the Danube River on boats to the crossroads of Pratern. From there, Pourtales, who was Berthier's ADC, then swam
with a dozen or so voltigeurs across the stretch of the Danube separating Pratern from Vienna. This all happened as
night was falling." (Chlapowski, - p 65)
On May 18th 1809 groups of voltigeurs rowed across the Danube River carrying a cable that would support the
bridge to the Island of Lobau (this bridge would lead to the Austrian-held shore). These voltigeurs cleared the
island and construction of the bridge began. To protect the pontonniers, Major Sainte-Croix (ADC to Massena) took
200 voltigeurs across Danube River to the right bank. Meanwhile the pontonniers were able to complete the bridge.
According to Austrian historian Rothenberg in Wagram Col. Sainte-Croix with 2,500 voltigeurs (!) and 10 guns were
ordered to cross the Danube River and establish a small bridgehead. The voltigeurs were carried in specially
constructed barges also with bulletproof shielding. The surprised Austrians offered little opposition with only their
jagers operating in small clumps in the woods had fought well. (Rothenberg - "The Emperor's Last Victory" pp
158-159)

In 1812 before the three bridges were thrown over the Niemen River, 3 companies of voltigeurs of 13th Light
Regiment crossed silently in skiffs and landed on the Russian bank. They took cover behind a little escarpment
formed by the river and looked for the enemy's scouts and light artillery.

Theoreteically voltigeurs were armed with 141.7 cm long dragoon muskets (it was a shorter version of musket,
easier to load and carry for the short man). But it was rare and voltigeurs were armed as the rest of infantry, with
long muskets. They also carried a bayonet and short saber.

The voltigeurs distinguished themselves by wearing yellow collars, and yellow-red or yellow-green epaulettes.
Wearing epaulettes by voltigeurs was never officially allowed - actually it was prohibited. The Ministry of War even
complained that voltigeurs were "entitled to no other dress distinctions than yellow collar." Order issued in
September 1808 prohibited the use of regimental funds for the purchase of epaulettes for voltigeurs.

Between 1804 and 1809 some voltigeurs wore the unofficial colpacks, sort of fur cap replaced by 1809 with shakos.
What is a Voltigeur ?
69eme Infanterie de ligne, Voltigeurs Napoleonic Re-enactment unit
There is evidence of the 69eme using 'eclaireurs' in Italy  and
Egyptian campaigns. Three companies of 69eme voltigeurs in
the peninsular.

Sergeant later Capitaine Marcel, recounts their exploits in his
memoires.
It is clear that 69eme voltigeurs ran apace with light cavalry in
Marcel's memoires of peninsular actions, working on each flank
alongside them, interacting with them when threat of British
cavalry.  In the latter case Marcel clearly states the voltigeurs
moving from open order into two lines of fire to ward off  
(successfully) the approaching UK cavalrymen. He records
lethal fire to light cavalrymen, and only one instance of them
being overwhelmed when line of retreat back to batallion was
cut off. Fortunately for him, that batallion stood their ground
and moved up to rescue the voltigeur companies.

Marcel regularly describes actions where more than one line
company was used, he describes joint actions with units of the
6e leger, and 76eme, and 39eme voltigeurs, either performing
avant or rear-guard manoeuvres. They were regularly in the
thick of it and this was recognised.
One evening the Voltigeurs of the 69eme were invited by  the
Emperor to keep guard over him in Spain,  Officers and NCOs
sharing his table, feasting on ham left behind by the Goddams.
Voltigeurs in the 69eme