She is the headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy in France and she brought students to Hogwarts for the Tri-wizard Tournament in the fourth book (GOF). Twice the size of a regular woman, she is a half-giant, although she denies her giant heritage. She is described as a handsome woman, well-respected, powerful, elegantly dressed in silk and jewels, and an excellent dancer.She arrived at Hogwarts with her Abraxan (giant, winged) horses and quickly became friends with Rubeus Hagrid, another half-giant. She traveled with Hagrid on a mission to recruit the giants to side with Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix in the fight against Voldemort. .In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Madame Maxime was played by Frances de la Tour and Ian Whyte, with Ian Whyte as an uncredited height double.