In 18th-century pre-Revolution France, Jeanne Bécu, the illegitimate daughter of a monk, seeks to transcend her commoner upbringing and pursue culture and pleasure. Through charm and wit, she becomes a renowned courtesan, enriching her benefactor, the Comte du Barry. When the Comte arranges a meeting between Jeanne and the widowed King Louis, they are immediately captivated by each other. As Louis appoints her as his favourite, ignoring societal norms, they move into Versailles, causing scandal and straining relations with Marie Antoinette, the Austrian queen-to-be.