Hoping to keep his financially unstable cafe in business, Henri (Jean Gabin) takes a trip to Monmartre, where he witnesses local dancers performing the can-can, a provocative dance that has fallen out of favor in the rest of France. Next, he discovers the beautiful Nina (Françoise Arnoul), and decides to bring both her and the can-can back to his cafe. While Nina and the dance cause a sensation, Lola (María Félix), the former star of Henri's establishment, sets out to sabotage the new girl.