Charles Moreau, general practitioner, and Hélène, his wife, have four girls aged 11 to 20 years. The eldest, Claire, plays the piano when she does not let her mind indulge in solitary reverie. Bernadette has a real passion for horses, while Cecile, the youngest, plays from a young age to realize all her whims. As for Pauline, at the age of 17, she decided that she would become a novelist. So she writes a book telling the story of family life. One day, when she comes out of high school, she meets Pierre, a penniless painter, from whom she immediately falls.
Marc Lafarge, 13, is idolized by his brother Thomas, 20, future veterinarian and amateur boxer. Thomas has a soul of justice. Thus, returning home with Marc after a fight, he hits a little thug who has just robbed an old lady.
A cinco simpáticos truhanes cada vez les cuesta más robar bancos, por lo que deciden reciclarse en el secuestro de personalidades. Primero secuestran a Johnny Hallyday. Después reciben el encargo de un grupo revolucionario sudamericano para "ocuparse" de un embajador, después... quien será el mejor postor?
A finales de 1944, en el bosque de la Woëre, al norte del Mosa, un grupo de maquis viven refugiados en el bosque. En ocasiones se une a ellos una joven que les hace de enlace.
Un día unos soldados alemanes desertores del ejercitonazi se refugian en el bosque, el jefe de los maquis duda en acogerlos, pero por unanimidad de sus compañeros se plega a ello.
