Planchet

Also known as: M. Planchet / Master Planchet / Sieur Planchet / friend Planchet / the French grocer / the grocer · Family: French · Role: grocer and shopkeeper · First appears: Chapter 19

Planchet is a French grocer and shopkeeper whose prosperous trade has expanded into banking and lending: “I play the banker a little.” In chapter 19, he remains connected to D’Artagnan as his former employer, friend, and financial partner, with twenty thousand livres invested in his trade. At Whitehall, D’Artagnan reveals a plan to restore Charles II, and within a week the two plot against Monk, establish a forty-thousand-livre company, and have Planchet transfer twenty thousand livres for the expedition.

When D’Artagnan risks his fortune for the restoration, he borrows from Planchet, later recognizing that Planchet is entitled to part of the recovered three hundred thousand livres. In 1660, Planchet is described as the French grocer who has taken the place of Charles II; at the Pilon d’Or, D’Artagnan orders Abdon to call the lad he knows and divides the recovered hundred thousand livres with Planchet, giving him half. Later, D’Artagnan places his savings with Planchet, who pays him interest.

By chapter 65, Planchet, as D’Artagnan’s patron, welcomes his return and laughs along with him at the door of his house, while his affection makes him offer “a thousand recommendations, each more affectionate than the others.” His ties to D’Artagnan thus remain those of former master and servant, friend, partner, patron, and financial associate.