"Olivia" captures the awakening passions of an English adolescent sent away for a year to a small finishing school outside Paris. The innocent but watchful Olivia develops an infatuation for her headmistress, Mlle. Julie, and through this screen of love observes the tense romance between Mlle. Julie and the other head of the school, Mlle. Cara, in its final months.

Arnal, nicknamed 'Counselor' is the head of a family held in high esteem by the people of a Cevennes village. Now, the dignified man, who is the respected arbitrator of local disputes, has adopted Clémence, a deaf-mute girl. The day when Maurice, Arnal's son, starts a love affair with his stepsister, trouble begins...