Gigi

The story opens in 1900 fin de siècle Paris, as the elderly Honoré LaChaille narrates the events from his perspective. We meet Gigi, a sixteen-year-old ward living with her grandmother Mme. Alvarez, and see the world she is about to inhabit through Honoré's recollections.

Gaston LaChaille stands at the center of Parisian society and heirs its sugar empire. He sees Gigi at Mme. Alvarez's apartment and is immediately drawn to her youth and charm, igniting a cautious but growing attraction.

Gaston invites Gigi to a skating outing with him and his mistress Liane. The event quickly sours when Gigi bluntly says Liane is boring, and Gaston suspects the skating instructor of infidelity, revealing the fragility of his affair.

Gaston seeks advice from Honoré on ending the relationship with Liane. Honoring his counsel, Gaston even pays the instructor to leave Liane, planning to sever the affair and move on.

Encouraged by Honoré, Gaston plunges into Paris society to prove he is unfazed by the breakup. He stops visiting Mme. Alvarez for weeks, and Gigi follows his escapades through the pages of the newspapers.

Gaston unexpectedly returns to Mme. Alvarez's apartment bearing champagne and chocolate, and announces that he will soon travel to a seaside resort. The gift-filled visit signals his return to the social scene, but also a distance from Paris.

To win the future with Gaston, Gigi bets that if she defeats him at cards, he must bring her and Mme. Alvarez to the coast. She wins, and Gaston honors the promise, with Honoré accompanying them on the trip.

Alicia is furious that Gigi has already begun socializing with Gaston before completing her training. The two elderly ladies decide that Gigi should be kept away from Gaston during this learning period.

Gaston travels to Monte Carlo for several weeks while Gigi undergoes daily instruction in conversation, fashion, and etiquette. The painstaking preparation yields a more subtle, composed persona, much to Gaston's initial disappointment when he returns.

Gaston invites Gigi to tea at a popular but morally questionable club, hoping to test the boundaries of her training. Alicia, apprehensive about her granddaughter's reputation, prevents her from going, and Gaston is briefly offended by the obstacle.

An agreement is reached between Gaston and the two elderly ladies to declare Gigi his formal mistress, a plan Gigi is not consulted about and immediately refuses.

Gaston openly admits that he has fallen in love with Gigi, leaving her shocked and hurt as they part on bad terms. The emotional rupture underscores the distance between intention and feeling.

Gigi ultimately relents and sends a note to Gaston accepting the arrangement, explaining that she does not want to lose him entirely. The act marks a painful compromise rather than true consent.

Gaston returns, and the two go out to a social event together. He remains unsettled by Gigi's newfound sophistication and ends up bringing her home early that night.

After wandering the streets of Paris for hours, Gaston returns with renewed resolve. He then asks for Gigi's hand in marriage, signaling a hopeful resolution to their tumultuous journey.