Frédéri is a very handsome young man in love with a girl he met once in Arles (we will never know her name :she is always referred to as "l'Arlésienne" ).But a man comes to the Mas (farm in Provence)to warn the family:"beware of that runaround girl ,she is a hussy and your boy should stay away from her!" Frederi cannot get over it;in spite of the love of a good girl,Vivette,and of love and affection from a dedicated family,he'll be in despair during the whole movie and meet a tragic end.