# Father Fauchelevent — Les Misérables character guide > Father Fauchelevent in Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Fauchelevent, old Fauchelevent, Ultime Fauchelevent, Goodman Fauchelevent **First appearance:** 0052-vi-father-fauchelevent ## Snapshot A stubborn old carter whom Jean Valjean once saved from a crushed leg, and who never forgot the debt. ## Who they are He is a plain man of the old school — suspicious of the new mayor at first, then fiercely loyal once he understands who lifted the cart off him. When Valjean needs a hiding place for himself and Cosette, Fauchelevent is the one who arranges the convent garden, the coffin, and the silence. His gratitude is the practical kind that moves furniture and keeps secrets, and it gives the novel one of its few safe houses. ## In the story ### [To Confide Is Sometimes to Deliver Into a Person’s Power](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/book-iv-to-confide-is-sometimes-to-deliver-into-a-person-s-power) Devises and executes the plan to smuggle Valjean out of the convent in a coffin. ### [VI: Father Fauchelevent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vi-father-fauchelevent) The old carter who is crushed under his cart and is saved by Madeleine's heroic act. ### [VI: Father Fauchelevent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vi-father-fauchelevent) The old carter trapped under his cart, formerly a jealous enemy of Madeleine, now saved and grateful. ### [Fauchelevent Becomes a Gardener in Paris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vii-fauchelevent-becomes-a-gardener-in-paris) Dislocates his kneepan in a fall, is cared for in Madeleine's infirmary, receives compensation, and is placed as a gardener in a Paris convent. ### [Fauchelevent Becomes a Gardener in Paris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vii-fauchelevent-becomes-a-gardener-in-paris) Dislocates his kneepan in a fall, is cared for in Madeleine's infirmary, receives compensation, and later becomes a gardener at a Paris convent. ### [Book V: For a Black Hunt, a Mute Pack](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/book-v-for-a-black-hunt-a-mute-pack) Assists Valjean in escaping into the convent, repaying a past debt. ### [The Man with the Bell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ix-the-man-with-the-bell) The gardener at the convent, whose life was saved by Valjean; he agrees to hide Valjean and Cosette. ### [The Man with the Bell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ix-the-man-with-the-bell) The convent gardener, grateful to Valjean for saving his life and getting him the position; agrees to hide Valjean and Cosette. ### [Le Petit-Picpus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/book-vi-le-petit-picpus) Father Fauchelevent is the gardener at the convent and will play a key role in helping Jean Valjean and Cosette enter and remain in the convent. ### [Book VII: Parenthesis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/book-vii-parenthesis) Key figure in facilitating Valjean and Cosette's entry into the convent. ### [Book VII: Parenthesis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/book-vii-parenthesis) Facilitates Valjean and Cosette's entry into the convent, using his position as a gardener. ### [Book VIII: Cemeteries Take That Which Is Committed Them](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/book-viii-cemeteries-take-that-which-is-committed-them) Helps Jean Valjean orchestrate the plan to enter the convent. ### [I: Which Treats of the Manner of Entering a Convent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/i-which-treats-of-the-manner-of-entering-a-convent) The convent gardener; indebted to Jean Valjean for saving his life; devises a plan to help them stay. ### [Fauchelevent in the Presence of a Difficulty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ii-fauchelevent-in-the-presence-of-a-difficulty) The gardener, also called Father Fauvent, presents a request to the prioress to bring his brother and niece into the convent. ### [Mother Innocente](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iii-mother-innocente) Agrees to help with the secret burial of Mother Crucifixion, using his strength and tools to open the vault. ### [IV: In Which Jean Valjean Has Quite the Air of Having Read Austin Castillejo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iv-in-which-jean-valjean-has-quite-the-air-of-having-read-austin-castillejo) The convent gardener who helps Valjean and Cosette; he is hesitant but ultimately agrees to the coffin escape plan. ### [Book VIII: Cemeteries Take That Which Is Committed Them](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/book-viii-cemeteries-take-that-which-is-committed-them) Assists Jean Valjean in the plan to enter the convent. ### [V: It Is Not Necessary to Be Drunk in Order to Be Immortal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/v-it-is-not-necessary-to-be-drunk-in-order-to-be-immortal) The convent gardener who masterminds Jean Valjean's escape by hiding him in a coffin. He is confident at first but becomes panicked when the new gravedigger, Gribier, appears. ### [I: Which Treats of the Manner of Entering a Convent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/i-which-treats-of-the-manner-of-entering-a-convent) The convent gardener; grateful to Valjean for saving his life, he plots to help Valjean and Cosette stay hidden. ### [Between Four Planks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vi-between-four-planks) Arranged the coffin and plans to retrieve Valjean after the gravedigger leaves. ### [Fauchelevent in the Presence of a Difficulty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ii-fauchelevent-in-the-presence-of-a-difficulty) The convent gardener, also called Father Fauvent, who makes a bold request to bring his brother and niece into the convent. ### [VII: In Which Will Be Found the Origin of the Saying: Don’t Lose the Card](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vii-in-which-will-be-found-the-origin-of-the-saying-don-t-lose-the-card) Orchestrates the rescue by stealing the gravedigger's card, distracting Gribier, and guiding Valjean out. ### [Mother Innocente](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iii-mother-innocente) Agrees to help the prioress secretly bury Mother Crucifixion under the altar, using his strength and tools. ### [IV: In Which Jean Valjean Has Quite the Air of Having Read Austin Castillejo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iv-in-which-jean-valjean-has-quite-the-air-of-having-read-austin-castillejo) Helps Jean Valjean plan the escape, using his role as a convent gardener and gravedigger. ### [A Successful Interrogatory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/viii-a-successful-interrogatory) Orchestrates the entry of Jean Valjean and Cosette into the convent, posing as Jean Valjean's brother and Cosette's grandfather. His successful interrogation and prior deeds elevate his status within the convent. ### [V: It Is Not Necessary to Be Drunk in Order to Be Immortal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/v-it-is-not-necessary-to-be-drunk-in-order-to-be-immortal) The convent gardener who orchestrates Jean Valjean's escape by hiding him in a coffin. He is confident at first but becomes anxious when he encounters the new gravedigger. ### [Cloistered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ix-cloistered) Shares the gardener's hut with Valjean, benefits from Valjean's work, and enjoys more snuff paid for by Valjean. ### [Between Four Planks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vi-between-four-planks) Planned the coffin escape with Valjean, nailed the coffin shut, and is expected to return after taking Mestienne away. ### [VII: In Which Will Be Found the Origin of the Saying: Don’t Lose the Card](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vii-in-which-will-be-found-the-origin-of-the-saying-don-t-lose-the-card) Orchestrates the rescue by distracting the gravedigger, stealing his card, and completing the burial to ensure Valjean's escape. ### [A Successful Interrogatory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/viii-a-successful-interrogatory) Orchestrates the entry of Jean Valjean and Cosette into the convent, passing the prioress's interrogation by claiming Jean Valjean as his brother and Cosette as his granddaughter. ### [Cloistered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ix-cloistered) Shares the garden hut with Jean Valjean, benefits from his help and snuff, and calls him 'the other Fauvent'. ### [The House with a Secret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/i-the-house-with-a-secret) Mentioned as having died, which provided Jean Valjean with the opportunity to leave the convent. ### [I: The House with a Secret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/i-the-house-with-a-secret) Mentioned as having died; his death provides the opportunity for Jean Valjean to leave the convent. ### [Book IV: Succor from Below May Turn Out to Be Succor from on High](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/book-iv-succor-from-below-may-turn-out-to-be-succor-from-on-high) Assists Valjean in entering the convent, using his position as gardener to provide shelter. ### [Succor from Below May Turn Out to Be Succor from on High](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/book-iv-succor-from-below-may-turn-out-to-be-succor-from-on-high) Assists Valjean in entering the convent and secures him a position as a gardener, acting as a benefactor. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/characters/fauchelevent - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/characters