Venturi was once the king of the Pigalle underworld. Today, he lives in retirement with his wife, in an estate near Chantilly. He still receives the takings from a few hôtels de passe and cabarets, enabling him to subsist without financial worries. But a gang of young hoodlums follows in his footsteps, committing robberies and picking fights in the establishments controlled by Venturi. His faithful companion Cristiani is murdered, as is his wife Germaine. Venturi is determined to take revenge.
A Belgian village is struck by repeated flooding, all this because they lack a new sewer. But the Ministry delays in providing the funding needed to build it. To alert public opinion, the villagers decide to do something. This "something" will be a play describing the life of their saint patron. Trouble follows, partly fueled by the short-tempered mayor.