Naïma is a young and naive high school student living with her mother in a modest apartment in the picturesque city of Cannes. Recently celebrating her 16th birthday, Naïma is at a crossroads, contemplating her future as she prepares for a summer internship in the kitchen of an upscale hotel where her mother works as a chambermaid. Alongside this, she has plans to audition for a school play with her gay best friend and aspiring actor, Dodo.
The summer takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of Sofia, Naïma's 22-year-old cousin, who comes from Paris to spend her holiday. Captivated by Sofia's free-spirited lifestyle, Naïma begins to see her as a mentor. Sofia shares her cynical views on love and relationships, emphasizing the pursuit of sensations and adventures over romantic love. As a birthday gift, she presents Naïma with a chic baby-pink Chanel handbag to match her own stylish accessory.
During a night out at a nightclub, Naïma and Sofia encounter two older men: Andrès, a wealthy Brazilian businessman, and his friend Philippe, who invite the girls aboard their luxurious yacht. Dodo accompanies them, but the evening takes a turn when Dodo’s friends disrupt the night, leading to a confrontation with Sofia and Stewart, a crew member. Dodo and Sofia clash, his accusation that she exploits her beauty for material gain causing friction, resulting in him leaving with his friends. Meanwhile, the chemistry between Sofia and Andrès becomes palpable, leading them into a private retreat on the yacht, where Naïma witnesses an intimate moment between them that leaves her feeling conflicted.
The following day sees the cousins indulging in high fashion as they buy lavish items using Andrès's credit at a boutique. Naïma grows more adventurous, even getting a matching "carpe diem" tattoo on her lower back, reflecting her cousin's influence. However, on the day scheduled for her audition, Naïma chooses to go on a yacht trip to Italy with Sofia, Andrès, and Philippe instead, enjoying an extravagant lunch at the villa of Calypso, Philippe's affluent friend. While Sofia impresses Calypso with her literary knowledge, comments about her cosmetic surgery echo in the background, which only deepens the bond between Naïma and Philippe. However, he gently rejects her growing affections.
Tensions rise when Andrès wrongfully accuses the cousins of stealing a valuable sextant, resulting in their ejection from the yacht by Stewart. Desperate to clear their names, Naïma insists on proving their innocence, but Sofia chooses to walk away, frustrated. Observing Andrès callously place the sextant back in its box, Philippe grows disillusioned. Naïma later finds Dodo at a nightclub, and after a brief cold shoulder, they reconcile over his successful audition.
Upon returning home the next morning, Naïma discovers that Sofia has abruptly left without a word. Naïma bids farewell to Philippe, who reassures her of her worth, labeling her as someone with "tremendous value."
As life continues, Naïma receives an email from Sofia announcing her move to London and newfound happiness. Fast forward three months, and Naïma is now diligently training to become a chef. In a moment of reflection, she decides to sell the expensive clothes she bought with Sofia, yet she cherishes the Chanel bag as a poignant reminder of her transformative summer.
