What is the climax in Elegance of the Hedgehog?

The climax of a story is defined as the turning point of
the plot, or the moment of highest intensity.

In Muriel
Barbery's The Elegance of the Hedgehog the moment of highest
intensity occurs when Renee dies after barely having discovered her personal meaning of
life. However, it is arguable that prior to her death, another high intensity moment was
her first encounter with Paloma. As a result of that encounter, Renee's life begins to
change. She meets Kakuro Ozu via Paloma, and she begins to realize that life is worth
living. It is because Paloma that Renee finds a reason to live, and how she begins to
slowly unfold into intellectual and emotional
freedom.

Unfortunately, her taste of freedom is
short-lived. Renee dies, but leaves her legacy onto Paloma who, in turn, also finds a
reason to live thanks to Renee.

In conclusion, the first
meeting between Paloma and Renee definitely becomes the catalyst for change in the lives
of the women, and Renee dies after finally experiencing the true meaning of
life.