The story of Guy and Genevieve, young lovers who live in the seaport of Cherbourg. They are separated when Guy must leave the pregnant Genevieve to fight in the war in Algeria. While he's away Genevieve's mother encourages her to marry an elegant diamond merchant who fell in love with her at first sight. Set during 1957-1963. The dialogue is entirely sung in French.

In this musical melodrama set against the backdrop of a workers' strike in Nantes, Dominique Sanda plays a young woman who wishes to leave her brutish husband for an earthy steelworker, though he is involved with another. Unbeknownst to the girl, the object of her affection boards with her no-nonsense baroness mother.

Lola awaits the return of her lover who left her with child seven years earlier. In the meantime, she works nights as a cabaret dancer and dreams of a reunion with her long lost love.