La Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, a district with a sloping street, a village atmosphere, and colorful shops. In this Parisian "Golgotha", all have one man in common, "Monsieur Jean", the "Paper merchant" who runs the Journaux bookstore. Mr. Jean listens, discusses, advises those who pass through his bookstore, and it is with witticisms borrowed from great authors that he resolves everyone's problems. But today it is a strike - the newspapers are not distributed, negotiations are organized at the Messageries, and here again Mr. Jean intervenes. Former trade unionist, he fights to save his ideals and he helps his friend René during the negotiations.