This film originated as a play in Paris. The story focuses on the one-day adventures of Bertrand Barnier played with a genius of French cinema, Louis de Funes. In the same morning he learns that his daughter is pregnant, an employee stole a large amount of money from his company, his maid is about to resign in order to marry a wealthy neighbor and his body builder is interested in marrying his daughter. The seemingly complicated story-line is full of comedy or errors and some of the most hilarious mime scenes of the French cinema.

In 1917, the First World War is raging. Julien is from Luxemburg, so instead of having to go to war he studies piano in Paris. One day his friend Jacques, also a musician and now a fighter pilot on the front, invites him to spend a few days in his family's empty house in Bray. The housekeeper, a beautiful stoic woman lets Julien in, but his friend is late and he is obliged to wait. In the meantime, he starts reminiscing of the pre-war days spent with his friend and Jacques' girlfriend Odile.

A successful artist, weary of Parisian life and on the verge of divorce, returns to the country to live in his childhood house. He needs someone to make a real vegetable garden again out of the wilderness it has become. The gardener happens to be a former schoolfriend. A warm, fruitful conversation starts between the two men.

After working with the bank for a long time, Julien decides to open a restaurant with his best friend. Unfortunately, when the bank refuses to grant him a loan, he comes up with a plan.

The beautiful Parisian courtesan Marguerite Gauthier (Cristiana Réali), who is called a "Lady of The Camellia" because of the preference for these flowers, has many devotees among Parisian aristocrats. He really loves one - young Armand Duval (Michaël Cohen). Under the influence of the beloved father's pleas, and despite himself, he declares to Armand that he no longer loves him. She is suffering from tuberculosis, but if possible, she is in company, and renews contacts with rich devotees. Armand tries to forget about her. One evening, at a party, their paths cross again.

Adolescents or young adults, Franck, Christine and the others meet, bond, leave each other. But the drama lurks.

The mistress of a wealthy man misses material comforts when she leaves him for a younger lover.

A man who had everything taken away from him, including his family, by his brother teams up with a young card player in order to take revenge on the brother.

Paul, a former insurer, is struggling to make ends meet. He agrees to meet Sarrebry, a loan shark introduced to him by his friend Daubelle. Paul mortally knocks out the disgusting crook and steals a large sum of money from him.

A female veterinarian moves to the country side to start her own practice. She encounters a lot a skeptical villagers.