Tante Million

In a grand Parisian townhouse where every room is a showcase of opulence, a formidable matriarch presides over a meticulously ordered life. Madame Goulart, known to her heirs as “Tante Million,” structures each week like a clockwork ritual—social salons on Monday, scholarly gatherings on Tuesday, and a careful inventory of silverware on Thursday. Her household runs with military precision, from the devoted lady‑in‑waiting Zoé to the impeccably dressed footmen, all responding to her unyielding will.

When a stubborn fever forces her into bed, the usual discipline gives way to a fierce indulgence. Ignoring the doctor’s counsel, she summons a lavish lunch of foie gras, pâtés, and chocolate, devouring it with a fervor that borders on the theatrical. The scene reveals her insatiable appetite for comfort and control, as well as the simmering tension between her selfish cravings and Zoé’s weary, yet loyal, attempts to keep order. This opening sets the stage for a sharp, witty portrait of a woman whose wealth cannot hush the echo of her own desires.