Comtesse Françoise de Gourmont, wife of Count Georges de Gourmont, is a French noblewoman entangled in her husband's collaboration with Nazi forces. She harbors a longstanding, unreciprocated affection for the Count dating from their childhood, persisting despite his abusive behavior and obsessive pursuit of the young protagonist Jeudi. Françoise presents a refined and reserved demeanor, often appearing in elegant purple gowns with her hair in a prim bun, reflecting her aristocratic status.

Her development centers on internal conflict between loyalty to her husband and moral opposition to his actions. She demonstrates covert resistance by aiding Jeudi's escape from the Count's castle using her personal vehicle, establishing her role as an unwilling accomplice to his schemes. This act highlights her suppressed disapproval of his cruelty and Nazi affiliations, even as she remains emotionally devoted to him.

The culmination of her arc occurs when the Count's estate burns during a confrontation. After shooting him in a final act of defiance, she chooses to remain in the burning building rather than escape alone. In their last moments, the Count expresses belated affection toward her, prompting Françoise to commit suicide with the remark, "I have had my moment of happiness." This concludes her narrative defined by enduring love for a morally corrupt partner, ultimately prioritizing their shared demise over survival.