 Imprecise as this is, it rules out the real Janvilliers being the location though its name may have been used because of that town's proximity to Verdun.Geographical imprecision serves the function of making the fictional Janvilliers a French ""everytown"" where the attitudes and experiences of its inhabitants typify those of towns throughout France of the period.Choosing 'Lion d'Or', a common and therefore typical name for French inns, as the name of the town hotel is meant to strengthen the idea of this representational aspect of Janvilliers.