Claire’s Knee

Claire’s Knee

Year: 1970

Runtime: 105 mins

Language: French

Director: Éric Rohmer

RomanceDramaHumanity and the world around usErotic relationships and desireCaptivating relationships and charming romance

On the eve of his wedding, a career diplomat holidays on the Lake Annecy shore and visits an old acquaintance, perhaps a former girlfriend. Through her he meets her intense teenage daughter, Laura, and becomes obsessed with Laura’s sister, Claire. While Laura flirts, his thoughts fixate on the desire to caress Claire’s knee, pulling his attention away from his upcoming marriage.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Claire’s Knee (1970)

Trace every key event in Claire’s Knee (1970) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Arrival at Lake Annecy

Career diplomat Jérôme travels from Stockholm to Lake Annecy to sell his family vacation home. He is surprised to run into Aurora, a novelist friend staying across the lake with her companion and Laura, her teenage daughter. The unexpected reunion sets the stage for delicate tensions as past friendships and future plans collide.

29 June 1970 Lake Annecy, France
2

Aurora detects Laura's crush

Aurora notices Laura's crush on Jérôme and suggests he spend time with Laura so she can glean material for her writing. Jérôme pretends to resist, saying he is engaged to his fiancée, but agrees to participate to help his friend and observe what happens.

29-30 June 1970 Across Lake Annecy (Madame Walter's home)
3

Hike and first kiss

On a hike, Jérôme and Laura share an intimate conversation and Jérôme kisses Laura. Laura pulls away, explaining that she desires true love rather than a casual fling. The moment unsettles Jérôme as he confronts the thin line between helping a friend and yielding to temptation.

30 June 1970 Lake Annecy area
4

Laura's confession

The next day, Laura explains she does not relate to her peers and hints she is attracted to older men who remind her of her deceased father. She suggests that relationships in her circle lack depth and expresses a longing for something more meaningful. Jérôme hears this with a growing sense of complication in his plan.

1 July 1970 Lake Annecy
5

Claire arrives

Claire, Laura's ex-step-sister, arrives for a visit and immediately catches Jérôme's eye with her blond beauty. He finds himself tempted by her, wondering if pursuing someone like her could be more intriguing than his usual romances. The dynamic shifts as attraction adds another layer to the lake-side drama.

2 July 1970 Annecy, near Madame Walter's residence
6

Knee moment and temptation

Jérôme notices Claire's exposed knee when she is perched on a ladder picking cherries with her boyfriend Gilles, and he feels a rush of longing. He struggles to resist the impulse to touch, trying to keep his restraint intact. The moment foreshadows the moral tension that threads through the days ahead.

2-3 July 1970 Cherry grove near Lake Annecy
7

Rainstorm shelter and confession

A storm forces Jérôme and Claire to seek shelter in a hut as rain pours down. He learns Gilles is not at his mother's as Claire believed, and Claire breaks down; Jérôme offers comfort, wiping away tears with a handkerchief and placing his hand on her knee. They eventually accompany her home as the weather clears.

3 July 1970 Shore hut near Annecy
8

Recounting the excursion

Back with Aurora, Jérôme recounts the excursion with Claire and asserts that touching her knee helped him exorcise his desire and manage the situation. Aurora remains skeptical, worrying that Claire's future may involve someone less honorable than Jérôme. The conversation highlights the precarious balance between artistry and personal restraint.

4 July 1970 Aurora's home
9

Laura departs for Cheltenham

Laura leaves Lake Annecy for a Cheltenham vacation, effectively removing a central complication for Jérôme as he navigates his feelings amid the other attractions around the lake. Her absence reduces the immediacy of the Laura–Jérôme dynamic, at least for the moment. Jérôme is left to reflect on what has happened and what might come next.

5 July 1970 Lake Annecy and Cheltenham
10

Aurora reveals engagement

Just before Jérôme returns to Stockholm to be with his fiancée, Aurora reveals that she, too, is engaged. The revelation redefines their relationship and priorities, signaling a shift in who they expect to be with. The news lands at a moment when travel plans and feelings are already in flux.

6-7 July 1970 Aurora's residence
11

Departure by boat

Jérôme leaves Lake Annecy by boat to return to Stockholm, closing this chapter of his lake-side narrative. The farewell leaves Laura, Claire, and Aurora to process what happened and anticipate what comes next. The departure frames the days ahead with a sense of unresolved tension.

7 July 1970 Lake Annecy (by boat)
12

Claire confronts Gilles

Gilles drives up right after Jérôme's departure, and Aurora overhears as Claire confronts him about not visiting his mother and being with Muriel. Gilles claims car problems and says he was simply consoling Muriel, leaving the truth ambiguous. The scene underscores ongoing tensions around loyalty and desire among the younger characters.

7 July 1970 Annecy area

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:11

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Claire’s Knee Summary

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Claire’s Knee Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Claire’s Knee

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