As its title indicates, La Mort du Cygne is set in the special world of the ballet. Young dance student Rose Souris idolizes her teacher-role-model Mademoiselle Beaupré, and will do anything to help Mademoiselle Beaupré further herself. Thus, when rival ballerina Nathalie Karine lands a much-coveted role, Rose arranges an accident causing Nathalie to break her leg. The girl comes to regret her rash behavior when it appears as though Nathalie will never dance again.

Louise, a young seamstress, has fallen in love with Julien, her neighbor, a composer who leads a bohemian lifestyle with his friends, who are artists like him. Her overprotective working-class parents are, unfortunately, opposed to her marrying the man she loves. Louise then decides to run away with Julien. One day, she runs into her father, who is now very ill...