After the horror of the Civil War, "ignorant" Christopher Newman (Matthew Modine) made his fortune. He travels to France is search of cultural treasures. He won't get past the Paris nightlife. He falls in love with Claire de Cintré (Aisling O'Sullivan). She was married off and traumatized by her abusive late husband for the family's sake. Her elder brother supports their ruthless mother, but Valentin (Andrew Scott) is besotted with the artist and strikes up a partnership with Christopher.—KGF Vissers

Paris, the 1870s. A wealthy young American, Newman (Matthew Modine), arrives in Paris looking for a wife and a cultural education. He falls in love with Clare (Aisling O'Sullivan), the daughter of a formidable French family from the ancient regime. The class of war and money begins.