France, 18th century. Jeanne Bécu, a commoner, climbs the Parisian social ladder through the beds of aristocrats, including the Count of du Barry and Marshal Richelieu. With the help of her patrons, she reaches the very top: she comes to the attention of the now-aged but amorous King Louis XV. Jeanne, married off to du Barry for the sake of formality, becomes the monarch's favourite, arousing complicated feelings amongst the courtiers and particularly irritating the royal family
