Two women in a French village during World War 2 anxiously await a letter which may or may not be arriving for either of them.

The film begins with a flashback from the titular character, Antoine. We are introduced to his fixation with female hairdressers which began at a young age. The film uses flashbacks throughout and there are frequent parallels drawn with the past. We are unsure what Antoine has done with his life, however, we know he has fulfilled his childhood ambition, to marry a hairdresser.

A couple of comedians attempt (they never agree) to tell the story of how they met and their picturesque careers in the arts. Guy recounts with dark humor the circumstances of his first, unhappy marriage, his family dramas, his early days as an extra... Sophie describes her professional and sentimental adventures with a friend, Manon, in a no less hard-hitting style. Following a trip to Italy, the two young women end up in a center for "single mothers", whose atmosphere is more reminiscent of a barracks. A few years later, Sophie's son Balthazar attends his mother's wedding to Guy and takes part in the couple's whimsical life.

This story is set in the 13th century, in Britain, where Lancelot, who was raised by Vivian, the Lady of the Lake, becomes one the Knight of the Round Tables and falls secretly in love with Guinevere, the wife of King Arthur, for whom he wants to accomplish many deeds.