In 1906, Viscount Paul de Barfleur fell in love with Cri-Cri delagrange, a singer at the cabaret "La vie parisienne". But the young man's father separated the lovers, who then married, each on his own... Forty-seven years later, in 1953, Cri-Cri and Paul's respective granddaughter and grandson meet by chance and fall in love with each other. The girl's father disapproves of the affair and is about to put an end to it. But the old Vicomte de Barfleur, who has never been consoled by not marrying Cri-Cri, intervenes in time to save the couple's happiness.

Sweet Virgil believes himself to be a victim of the same bad luck that has pursued parents, grandparents and ancestors before him. Terribly complexed by this misfortune, he nevertheless awkwardly tries his hand at journalism, supported by a charming editor. By chance, he comes face to face with the thundering gangster Esposito. In this cat-and-mouse struggle, the mouse wins. Esposito is arrested and Virgil is rid of his inhibitions forever.

In the Mouffetard district of Paris, Jérôme Crainquebille, an affable four-season merchant, is stopped by a police officer and taken to the station, unjustly accused of shouting "Mort aux vaches!" ("Death to the cows!"). When he returns to work after a fortnight's detention, he is ostracized by his neighbors. Lonely, Crainquebille sank into despair and alcoholism. His life in prison seemed sweeter, and his attempts to return were in vain. He owes his salvation to the affection of a local kid.

Naturally optimistic and mischievous, Jérôme Aubin crossed the time of his adolescence, around 1945, with ease and good humor. The years passed. He married the pretty Françoise, a little neighbor he had known since the age of eight, and soon found himself a secondary school teacher, a little anxious at the thought of facing for the first time students he had been told were particularly turbulent. How will he master this new difficulty? Better than you'd think, thanks to a delicious optimism: boldly going against the grain of conventional methods, he surprises his young audience, thwarting the plans of the dissipated gossips and turning their most tendentious attitudes to his advantage. All this provokes astonishment and concern among the college's leaders. But Jérôme Aubin is no pushover, and even the dreaded general supervisor finds himself obliged to give in to his most audacious initiatives...

Oscar, a shy lifeguard, flees the wrath of his boss following the disaster caused by the water purification machine he has developed. In his haste, he accidentally grabs a gangster's car containing the plans for a super satellite. A wild chase ensues.

Alice Rémon, a pharmacist, is a prostitute who managed to leave the streets by getting married. Her husband dies one day, poisoned. Her mother-in-law, who hates her, accuses her of murder.

Noël Schoudler, founder of an empire built on three foundations - sugar, banking and the press - reigns like an absolute sovereign over his business and his family. But someone is about to challenge this authority: his son François...

Jean Nerac completes his medical studies, sure of a successful career, but less sure of his attempts with fellow student Marianne, who refuses to accept him. Nerac leaves for the Auvergne. An old doctor will soon die, but replacing him will be difficult, as one of Jean's colleagues has failed. However, with patience, skill, modesty and friendship, Jean Nerac overcame the mistrust of his patients. He settled in these austere mountains, and Marianne, convinced of the young man's worth, helped him with her presence.

"Thieves We Are" - In flashback, the audience learns why 104-year-old Amedee steals the watch belonging to the town mayor. The story develops into a history of the watch-thievery business, told in anecdotal fashion.