France in the 19th century: The young and hopeful Lucien (Benjamin Voisin) devotes all his passion to poetry. But in his provincial home, surrounded by his working-class family, his talent is useless. The chance to escape the confines of the countryside comes when his secret lover Louise (Cécile de France) leaves for Paris. He leaves the family print shop head over heels and from then on tries to gain a foothold in the fairytale city of Paris and rise in society at the side of his lover, who is also his patron.