Poacher, bon vivant and womanizer, Maurin falls in love with the fiancée of a policeman. And despite all the principles, he easily triumphs over his rival.
A very rich businessman, knight of the Legion of Honor, bets that he can start his career from scratch. After all kinds of adventures, he climbs the ladder of society and, having become rich again, finds love and a new fortune.
Maurin, an accomplished lady seducer, has acknowledged Césariot as his son. Tonia, Maurin's mistress, is jealous of his love for the boy and follows him one night as he attempts to protect Césariot from the customs officers. But Maurin is shot and dies in Tonia's arms. Based on Jean Aicard's novel.