Dominique, an impressive and possessive father, runs with his sister a large animal store: "Le Paradis des bêtes". Violent, when he has passed a point of no return in his relationship with his wife, Cathy, he fled with their children Clarisse and Ferdinand. Refugee with them on the other side of the border, in a large hotel in a posh winter sports resort, he tries to build a world of illusion, in order to win back his daughter and his son - who yet love him unconditionally.