Act I.
At the inn of Amiens, in a carriage, arrives Manon, a beautiful girl accompanied by her brother, Lescaut. Because of her loose, light-minded nature, her parents had sent her, against her will, to a convent. In the yard of the inn, the young man Des Grieux notices her. He finds out that Lescaut agrees with the girl’s kidnapping by the rich Geronte; he suggests Manon to run away together. Because of her desire to get rid of the convent, Manon accepts to follow Des Grieux to Paris; fortunately, her brother is playing cards and does not notice them running away.
Act II.
Attracted by richness and luxury, Manon leaves Des Grieux for the old but rich gentleman Geronte, brought there by her brother, Lescaut. Driven by love, Des Grieux starts looking for Manon and finds her in Geronte’s house. Lescaut advises the young couple (his sister and Des Grieux) to run away, but Manon is denounced by Geronte and arrested.
Act III.
Geronte’s revenge is fulfilled; Manon is found guilty and deported. The convoy of prisoners departs from the harbor Le Havre. The only chance that Des Grieux has in the last moment is to be accepted on board with his beloved Manon.
Act IV.
The convoy of prisoners arrives at New Orleans. Here, they struggle with the lack of food and water. Exhausted and sick, Manon lives the last days of her life. The former coquettish, romantic heroine is now only a dying woman, resigned to her destiny. To the despair of Des Grieux, Manon is dying in his arms.