9-year-old Gérard, son of a wealthy industrialist, lives in a futuristic villa where everything happens automatically and has everything he could possibly wish for, but is bored to death. The boy adores his uncle Hulot, who lives in a simple house in an old working-class neighborhood and is so happy. Gérard's mother has very little understanding of her brother's lifestyle and tries to fix him up with a wealthy female neighbor. Maar Hulot has no intention of giving up his old life.