A young petty criminal and car thief named Michel is on the run after stealing a vehicle and shooting a police officer in the process. Oozing with a false sense of bravado akin to the heroes in the American films he idolizes, he wanders the streets of Paris, stealing money and cars to sustain his flight. Michel is enamored with both the lifestyle of the outlaw and a particular American expatriate named Patricia. Patricia is an aspiring journalist selling the New York Herald Tribune on the boulevards of Paris, embodying a sense of freedom and independence that Michel desperately craves.

Undeterred by the gravity of his situation, Michel seeks out Patricia, intent on convincing her to flee to Italy with him. As they meander through the city, engaging in casual conversations about love, life, and freedom, their relationship epitomizes the ethos of youth and rebellion against societal norms. Meanwhile, Michel continues to evade the authorities, seamlessly moving between moments of danger and lighthearted dalliances. Patricia is intrigued by Michel’s wayward charm but remains uncertain about her own feelings and the depth of her involvement with this wanted man. Their rapport unfolds amidst the backdrop of the vibrant cityscape, all the while Michel's day of reckoning steadily approaches, as police close in on his trail.