# Madame Lefrançois — Madame Bovary character guide

> Madame Lefrançois in Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Widow Lefrançois, Mère Lefrançois

**First appearance:** 0012-part-ii-ii

## Who they are

The innkeeper of the Lion d'Or in Yonville.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-i)

The busy landlady of the Lion d'Or inn, preparing for market day and the arrival of the Bovarys. She defends her establishment against Homais's criticisms.

### [Arrival in Yonville](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-ii)

Innkeeper who hosts the dinner; falls asleep by the fire after the guests leave.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-iii)

Runs in to embrace Emma after the birth, along with Madame Homais.

### [The Opera](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-xv)

Mentioned in the polite, strained conversation at the café, anchoring the scene to Yonville.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-iii-iv)

Comments on Léon's changed appearance when he returns to Yonville and dines at her inn.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-iii-ix)

Helps dress Emma's corpse and comments on her enduring beauty.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/characters/madame_lefrancois
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/characters