On the morning of January 30, 1889, the Archduke Rodolphe de Habsbourg and his mistress Marie Vetsera were found dead. The remains of Rodolphe are discreetly repatriated to Hofburg, while that of Mary is hastily thrown into the depths of a tomb.

Historical film directed and written by Sacha Guitry follows the the history of Paris from its founding through the significant events in the city's history.

Emperor Claudius had a son, Britannicus, before marrying Agrippina and adopting her son Nero, born of a previous marriage. Nero succeeded Claudius and ruled the Empire. Despite his reign, Nero decides to free himself from his mother's yoke and take revenge on Britannicus, the brother who has everything and whom he envies.