The story revolves around the people of Sète, France. Their lives are punctuated by family rivalries, romance and scenes from daily life, but also by plots involving police investigations, secrets and betrayals.

Martin, the illegitimate son of an industrialist and a hairdresser, was sent to live with his wealthy father in the countryside as a young boy. Alice is a musician living with Martin's half-brother in Paris. When Martin shows up at Alice's door after fleeing his father's home under troubled circumstances, their lives become intertwined.