Pure and simple French mother (4)
I believe the answer is:
mere
I believe this clue is a triple definition!
'pure' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'and' is a link.
'simple' is the second definition.
('mere' can be a synonym of 'simple')
'french mother' is the third definition.
(I've seen this before)
(Other definitions for mere that I've seen before include "President Hollande's mother?" , "Lake (poetic); Maori war club" , "Insignificant" , "Previously pure" , "Nothing more than a small pond" .)