Jean (Jean Gabin) is an army deserter who arrives in Le Havre, France, planning to leave the country on one of the many ships anchored there. He gets distracted in the foggy port city, however, when he falls in love with the lovely Nelly (Michèle Morgan). Jean faces some sinister competition, as Nelly is caught between the influence of her overbearing godfather (Michel Simon) and a petty gangster (Pierre Brasseur). Jean wants to skip town with Nelly, but tempers are escalating quickly.