Renée is a 54-year-old widow who has worked as the concierge of a luxury Parisian apartment building for 27 years. Outwardly, she cultivates the appearance of a stereotypical, prickly concierge to meet the expectations of the wealthy tenants. Inwardly, she is a voracious autodidact who spends her free time reading philosophy, enjoying classical music, and watching films. She fiercely protects her intellectual life, believing that her employers would not tolerate a cultured employee.

Paloma is a highly intelligent 12-year-old girl living with her wealthy family in the building where Renée works. Frustrated by the superficiality and hypocrisy she observes in her family and their social circle, she documents the movements of the world in her private journals. She struggles with nihilistic thoughts and considers ending her life before she becomes an adult, actively searching for a meaningful reason to live instead.

Kakuro is a wealthy Japanese man who moves into the luxury apartment building. As an outsider to French social codes, he interacts with the building's residents differently than they interact with one another. He possesses a refined appreciation for art and literature, paying close attention to the genuine internal qualities of the people around him.

Manuela is a cleaning lady from Portugal who works for several wealthy families in the building. She serves as Renée's only close friend. The two women share a quiet routine of drinking tea and enjoying pastries together. Renée views her as a true aristocrat because she remains unsullied by the vulgarity of her employers.

Colombe is Paloma's older sister and a university student writing her master's thesis on medieval philosophy. Paloma views her as a hypocrite who uses academic pursuits to mask an inner emptiness and a lack of true connection to humanity. She frequently clashes with her younger sister over household habits and intellectual posturing.

Solange is Paloma and Colombe's mother. She has been in therapy and taking antidepressants for ten years. Paloma observes her closely, noting her tendency to engage in petty arguments over status symbols and her failure to provide true emotional nourishment to her children. She maintains the outward appearance of a sophisticated Parisian woman.

Paloma's father is a wealthy conservative man who occupies a position of power in French society. Paloma studies his morning routines, observing how he carefully constructs his public persona each day. He expects strict adherence to social norms and reprimands Paloma for violating polite etiquette.

Lucien is Renée's late husband. She met him through her brothers when they worked at the same factory. Though he has passed away from illness prior to the main events of the story, his memory provides Renée with comfort. He was a steady, unassuming man who shared Renée's quiet life and valued her mind over conventional beauty.

Pierre is a prominent food critic who lives in a large apartment in the building. He treats Renée with barely concealed disdain, assuming she is uneducated and ignorant. His failing health prompts various reactions from the building's residents.

Jean is the youngest son of the wealthy food critic Pierre Arthens. Unlike the rest of his family, he struggles deeply with the pressures of his environment, leading to a severe drug addiction. He occasionally seeks solace in the quiet corners of the apartment building's courtyard.

Paul works as an assistant to Kakuro Ozu. He acts as an intermediary for Kakuro during his move into the building, handling logistics and communicating respectfully with the building staff.

Marguerite is Paloma's best friend. Paloma values her highly because she is witty, interesting, and rejects the superficial behavior that characterizes most of their peers at school. They frequently discuss philosophical topics like love and fate.

Lisette is Renée's older sister. Unlike Renée, she was considered highly beautiful and well-liked in their youth. She left their poor rural home at sixteen to work as a nanny for a wealthy family, introducing Renée to concepts of city life before a tragic sequence of events cut her life short.

Olympe is the teenage daughter of a diplomat living on the second floor. She is one of the few residents Renée genuinely likes. Aspiring to be a veterinarian, she treats animals with serious medical attention and enjoys conversing with Renée about her cat.

Doctor Chabrot is Pierre Arthens's personal physician. He relies on Renée to manage the flow of visitors during his patient's final days, treating her with a polite professional distance.

Dr. Theid is the psychologist who has been treating Solange Josse for a decade. Paloma views him skeptically, believing he merely regurgitates basic Freudian concepts without offering genuine insight into her family's struggles.