Out of love for an actress, Isabelle, the Baron de Sigognac joins a traveling troop en route to Paris. When an actor dies, he takes over his role: that of Captain Fracasse.

Nell Marignan, going by the nickname of Mistigri, a naive small town girl, falls for a tenor on tour. Unfortunately, the man is nothing but a vain, witless and talentless hop. But, blinded by love, Mistigri sacrifices all to follow the buffoon she mistakes for her Romeo. Now sharing his life, she shines nevertheless under the illusion of happiness.