# Monsieur Hochon — The Celibates character guide

> Monsieur Hochon in The Celibates by Honoré de Balzac.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Hochon, old Hochon, worthy Monsieur Hochon

**First appearance:** 0000-story-i-pierrette

## Snapshot

A cautious, close-fisted old notary in Issoudun who watches family greed and provincial intrigue with the patience of a man who has seen every trick before.

## Who they are

Monsieur Hochon belongs to the small circle of Issoudun notables whose silence is strategic and whose advice is rarely free. He balances a reputation for probity against a deep instinct for self-preservation, especially where the Rouget fortune and the town's schemers are concerned. His wary observations help frame the novel's early portrait of a provincial society where money, marriage, and inheritance are the real religion.

## Relationships

### [Madame Descoings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_celibates_se/characters/madame_descoings)

_friendship_

Madame Descoings and Monsieur Hochon are old friends and allies in the provincial society of Issoudun, sharing gossip and mutual support.

### [Sylvie Rogron](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_celibates_se/characters/sylvie_rogron)

_social_

Monsieur Hochon is a shrewd neighbor who observes Sylvie Rogron's actions and occasionally intervenes in local affairs.

### [Pierrette Lorrain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_celibates_se/characters/pierrette_lorrain)

_friendship_

Monsieur Hochon feels pity for Pierrette and tries to help her discreetly, acting as a kind but ineffective ally.

### [Sylvie Rogron](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_celibates_se/characters/sylvie_rogron)

_social_

Monsieur Hochon is a shrewd neighbor who observes Sylvie Rogron's actions and occasionally intervenes in local affairs.

### [Madame Descoings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_celibates_se/characters/madame_descoings)

_friendship_

Madame Descoings and Monsieur Hochon are old friends and allies in the provincial society of Issoudun, sharing gossip and mutual support.

### [Sylvie Rogron](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_celibates_se/characters/sylvie_rogron)

_social_

Monsieur Hochon is a shrewd neighbor who observes Sylvie Rogron's actions and occasionally intervenes in local affairs.

### [Madame Descoings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_celibates_se/characters/madame_descoings)

_friendship_

Madame Descoings and Monsieur Hochon are old friends and allies in the provincial society of Issoudun, sharing gossip and mutual support.

### [Pierrette Lorrain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_celibates_se/characters/pierrette_lorrain)

_friendship_

Monsieur Hochon feels pity for Pierrette and tries to help her discreetly, acting as a kind but ineffective ally.

### [Pierrette Lorrain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_celibates_se/characters/pierrette_lorrain)

_friendship_

Monsieur Hochon feels pity for Pierrette and tries to help her discreetly, acting as a kind but ineffective ally.

## In the story

### [A Bachelor's Establishment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_celibates_se/chapters/a-bachelor-s-establishment)

He is present during discussions about Philippe's plan to have Flore marry Rouget.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_celibates_se/characters/monsieur_hochon
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_celibates_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_celibates_se/characters