Picnic on the Grass

Étienne Alexis is the frontrunner to become Europe’s first president and promotes a vision of science-based reforms. He is newly engaged to Marie-Charlotte and invites her and their extended family to a picnic near his Provençal mansion where their plans for Europe are on display.

Journalists are invited to document the gathering, aiming to present the picnic as a symbol of Europe's unity through scientific progress. The scene foregrounds the couple and their relatives debating progress, fertility, and the role of science in society.

Gaspard's flute triggers a sudden wind that scatters chairs and tables. The guests scramble for cover, and Étienne and Nénette are separated from the rest, setting the stage for a rupture in the planned social display.

When the wind dies down, Étienne and Nénette sit with the campers. He speaks of eliminating passion to pave the way for a rational future, while nearby a Bacchanalia among the pavilion guests signals a clash between restraint and desire.

Étienne notices Nénette swimming nude and is visibly moved. After she emerges and joins him, Gaspard's flute is heard again and the couple slips away into the high reeds together.

They return to the camp and find the cousins and servants leaving by car. Rather than chasing them, Étienne and Nénette stay with the campers, who offer to shelter them for the night.

The next morning, Étienne asks to escape the world and travels with Nénette to her father Nino's house. He begins to rethink humanity's relationship with the natural world.

The cousins locate the couple and arrive at the house, pressing Nénette to leave. Étienne becomes agitated as he searches for her and encounters Gaspard, who guides him toward a ritual that unsettles his rational resolve, including kneeling before a goat.

Gaspard suggests kneeling before his goat to seek help. Étienne obeys, experiences a surge of ecstasy, and shouts Down with science! as his cousins restrain him.

He returns to his old life, but on the day of his wedding he discovers Nénette is pregnant and working in a hotel kitchen. The revelation unsettles his plans and complicates his future.

Instead of marrying Marie-Charlotte, Étienne brings Nénette to the waiting crowd. He announces the start of his presidential campaign with a speech about science and nature and reveals his intention to marry Nénette.

The film closes with Étienne embracing a future where science coexists with nature and with a new family at his side. The campaign continues as he prepares to formalize his union with Nénette.