Spoiler Alert – “Ici tout commence” is about to heat up with a dramatic return!
Exciting developments are on the horizon for fans of Ici tout commence, the popular daily French drama set in the elite culinary school of the Institut Auguste Armand. A familiar face, long absent from the show, is about to make a grand comeback—and her return promises to shake things up in a major way, especially for the Rochemont sisters, Hortense and Victorine.
That’s right—Eugénie Rochemont, portrayed by the talented Sophie Duez, is returning to the screen. Long-time viewers will recognize her as the mother of Hortense (played by Catherine Davydzenka) and Victorine (Lou Ladegaillerie). Eugénie hasn’t been seen at the institute for quite some time, but starting Wednesday, April 30, 2025, she’ll be walking those hallowed kitchen-lined halls once again. And if early interviews and hints from cast members are any indication, her reappearance won’t be a quiet one.
Sophie Duez’s character was never one to go unnoticed, and her reentry into the lives of her daughters comes at a delicate time. Hortense, who is soon to leave the series, and Victorine, recently seen in L’Art du crime and Panda, are both heading into a storm of emotional turbulence. According to Lou Ladegaillerie, who gave an exclusive interview to Télé-Loisirs, the upcoming storyline is set to be intense: “We’re entering a real zone of turbulence! A major event is going to shake up Vic and Hortense’s lives.”
What could this event be? While the production has kept exact plot points under wraps, Ladegaillerie dropped a tantalizing hint—this twist will rival the grief and shock the sisters experienced after their father’s death. “The two sisters are going to face a tragedy together. After the loss of their father, this will be a shock of similar magnitude,” she revealed. She didn’t shy away from expressing her excitement either, praising the writing team’s work and teasing that what’s to come will be both powerful and emotional.
The timing of Eugénie’s return is far from coincidental. As Ici tout commence has already demonstrated this season, the show is not afraid to bring back key characters to stir up emotions, resolve long-standing storylines, or create new ones. In recent months, we’ve seen Charlène Teyssier (Pola Petrenko) reappear dramatically after setting fire to the Bleu Pré estate, and Annabelle Cardone (Alexandra Vandernoot) return to briefly assume the role of director at the culinary school. There was also the heartfelt storyline involving Hippolyte Duchesnay (Tom Novembre), who tried to reconnect with his son before facing memory loss due to Alzheimer’s. Not to mention the touching visit of Greg Delobel (Mikaël Mittelstadt) and Eliott Prévost (Nicolas Anselmo), who came back to see old friends and relive cherished memories.
All these comebacks, including Eugénie’s, serve a greater narrative arc: blending the past and present of the Institut Auguste Armand, reinforcing the show’s emotional core while also paving the way for future storylines. Eugénie’s involvement may bring long-hidden family secrets to light or force the sisters to confront past wounds they thought had healed. Given her complicated history with both daughters, her presence will likely reopen some emotional scars, leading to confrontations, reconciliations—or perhaps even more secrets.
And of course, this marks a significant moment for Catherine Davydzenka’s character, Hortense, who is preparing to leave the series. Eugénie’s return may serve as a catalyst for her character’s departure, possibly offering her one final, dramatic storyline before she exits the show. Could this be a farewell filled with reconciliation, or will it be marked by even more heartbreak?
For Victorine, still carving her path at the institute, Eugénie’s reappearance is bound to impact her deeply. While Victorine has generally taken a more quiet and studious path compared to her sister, this emotional upheaval might push her to the forefront. We may see new dimensions of her character emerge—strength, vulnerability, or a darker turn—as she copes with the family drama unfolding around her.
Beyond the emotional stakes, Eugénie’s return could also have implications within the professional world of the Institut. The series is known for intertwining personal stories with the high-pressure culinary environment, so don’t be surprised if the Rochemont family issues spill over into the kitchens. Past tensions, unresolved guilt, or even professional rivalries might resurface with her back in the picture. Whether Eugénie is here to mend bonds or fan the flames, she’s guaranteed to be a disruptive force.
Lou Ladegaillerie’s closing words in her interview might be the biggest teaser of all: “I can’t wait! The writers of Ici tout commence have done an amazing job.” With such enthusiasm coming from the cast, fans are bracing themselves for a powerful story arc that blends family trauma, emotional growth, and the signature drama the series is known for.
In short, Ici tout commence is entering a new chapter—one that promises high emotions, deep family drama, and maybe even a few surprises no one saw coming. If you’ve followed the journey of Hortense, Victorine, and their complicated mother, this is one storyline you won’t want to miss. So mark your calendars: starting April 30, the Rochemonts are back in the spotlight, and the Institut Auguste Armand is about to be shaken like never before.