Catherine Deneuve and Nino Castelnuovo star in this French musical written and directed by Jacques Demy. Genevieve (Deneuve) and Guy (Catelnuovo) are young lovers who swear to marry and have a family together but when Guy is drafted into the army and Genevieve learns that she is pregnant, their correspondence weakens. At the insistence of her mother Madame Émery (Anne Vernon), Genevieve marries diamond merchant Roland Cassard (Marc Michel).

Following his return from the war Guy initially struggles to adjust to civilian life but finds comfort with Madeleine (Ellen Farner) who nursed his sick aunt. However, Guy and Genevieve are destined to meet one last time...