OSS 177 goes on holiday to Brazil, but is called into action when he finds himself being stalked by a double.

Venturi was once the king of the Pigalle underworld. Today, he lives in retirement with his wife, in an estate near Chantilly. He still receives the takings from a few hôtels de passe and cabarets, enabling him to subsist without financial worries. But a gang of young hoodlums follows in his footsteps, committing robberies and picking fights in the establishments controlled by Venturi. His faithful companion Cristiani is murdered, as is his wife Germaine. Venturi is determined to take revenge.

Johan details the director's quest for an actor to play his titular lover, the real deal having been incarcerated just prior to shooting on charges of petty theft.