A financially ruined merchant has three daughters. Adélaïde and Félicie, pretty but mean-spirited young ladies, cannot bear living in poverty and dream of money, fancy clothes, and social hobnobbing. The third, who is so good-hearted and attractive that she has been nicknamed “Beauty,” is derided by her sisters and forced to work as their servant. The merchant has a son, Ludovic, who lives with him also. Ludovic’s friend Avenant is in love with Beauty and wants to marry her. Beauty refuses his overtures because she does not wish to abandon her father, who is suffering greatly from his financial misfortunes.

Returning one night from the city, after his ruin has been confirmed, the merchant must pass through a great forest. He loses his way and discovers by pure chance the enchanted castle of the Beast, where he dines and spends the night. In the morning as he is leaving, he picks a rose for Beauty, who had asked for one. The Beast appears, furious, and condemns the merchant to die unless one of his daughters agrees to replace him as the Beast’s prisoner at the castle. Feeling guilty because of the rose, Beauty offers to go the Beast’s castle. Despite Avenant’s angry opposition, she goes to live at the Beast’s castle and finds him exquisitely courteous to her. However, each evening her host asks her if she will agree to become his wife. Although Beauty steadfastly refuses, she begins to appreciate the fine qualities — kindness, generosity, nobility of sentiment — which are hidden behind the Beast’s hideous exterior.

Beauty learns that her father is dangerously ill. She begs the Beast to let her return home for a week, promising to return to the castle. The Beast finally agrees but makes it clear that he will die of sorrow if she doesn’t keep her word. Before her departure he gives her the golden key to Diane the Huntress’s Pavilion, where all of his treasures are kept. He also gives her a magic glove which allows her to travel between the enchanted world of the castle and the real world. Richly dressed and adorned, Beauty returns home magically.