Fanfan, a lazy young man from Paris escapes from a forced marriage to the daughter of farmer and joins the army after Adeline promised him a glorious career in the French army. After signing the contract, he finds out that Adeline is the daughter of his sergeant. In spite of this he tries to make the "promised faith" of him true, but he is caught when he tries to introduce himself to Louis XV's daughter Henriette, who he shall marry due to his promised faith. He is sentenced to death, but Adeline convinces Louis XV that he should be set free. But Louis XV hasn't done this for nothing, so he tries to kidnap Adeline. Fanfan chases the kidnappers without success, but he captures the military enemy's supreme commander. For this he receives the thanks of Louis XV, who promotes him and allows to marry one of his daughters, Adeline, who has been adopted by king.
—Stephan Eichenberg <eichenbe@fak-cbg.tu-muenchen.de>