South-West France, 1962. The world outside a small lyceum is aflame – Algeria gains its independence – but other issues dominate at school. François is approaching the start of a long hot summer and reaching the end of his school days. He is a retiring boy who dislikes youth in general and his contemporaries in particular. His only contact with the outside world is the young Maïté, who enjoys her still innocent life to the full, unlike François. François shares his room with the sturdy Serge, who is proud of his peasant origins. François is fascinated by him, but cannot place his fascination. One day Henri arrives and brings the outside world with him. His coming disrupts the shaky stability of this small community.
