In the 14th century, famous writer Giovanni Boccaccio (Louis Jourdan) returns to Florence, Italy, to woo beautiful noblewoman Fiametta (Joan Fontaine). Although Fiametta rejects Giovanni's attentions, he wins an audience by promising to tell her an original story. Relating a lively tale of a Spanish pirate, Giovanni then spins numerous other tales that Fiametta criticizes as mockery. After Giovanni challenges her to respond in kind, the pair flirts, trying to outdo each other in tall tales.