The Mayor of Montreuil-sur-mer, who helped many people in the town. Secretly, an ex-convict, who did forced labour for nineteen years for stealing some bread for his family. After a bishop who he robbed refused to turn him in, and gave him some silver candlesticks on top of the silver plates he had stolen, Jean resolved to do good in the world whenever he can.

After he tried to help Cosette's mother, he rescues Cosette from the Thenardiers, and raises her as his own daughter.