René François Artois is the owner of Café René in the French town of Nouvion. He is the husband of Edith Artois and lover to his Waitresses Yvette Carte-Blanche and Maria Recamier. Whilst having a seemingly quiet life and befriending Germans, Rene is offered the chance to be a pivotal player in the by current leader Michelle Dubois. In addition, he is also charged with the protection of the Fallen Madonna painting by Colonel Kurt Von Strohm. Desperately trying to hide away all these incriminating factors, Rene tries to survive the war without any danger and eventually marry his waitress/mistress Yvette, but is determined to marry Edith first in order to prolong his rightful hold on the cafe.