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Paris, 1871. Vera, the star of the Paradise brothel, is about to leave to become the live-in mistress of a wealthy merchant. However, the Paradise owes money to a dangerous debt collector, and its madam, Hortense, is willing to resort to anything to keep her. Meanwhile, when a young woman named Rose arrives at the Paradise in search of her mother, Hortense sees an chance to revive the business.

Forced into service at the Paradise, Rose manages to escape before being tracked down by the police. After one of the girls is assaulted, Vera organizes a strike, causing a strain on the brothel's finances. In response, Hortense makes the decision to sell Rose's chastity to the highest bidder. To top it all off, Hortense's brother has arrived from the colonies to take over the business.

Hortense's detestable brother Pierre, recently arrived in France, quickly resolves the strike organized by the ladies of the Paradise. But the calm is only temporary. Now back to work, Rose finds herself struggling to adjust. Meanwhile, Vera, notices that Angela is wearing jewelry that once belonged to her former lover. Suspicious, she goes to the police to report it. But will anyone listen?

Hortense must defend against the machinations of her brother, who wants to leverage the Paradise for his own gains. A police investigation is launched in response to Vera's claims and two girls are arrested. One day, Rose finds a photo of her mother in the house archives, and it is suggested that her mother and Hortense once shared a close personal relationship.

Pierre continues to use the Paradise for his own purposes, inviting many wealthy clients on his own accord. Hortense is furious and attempts to spite him by keeping the ladies locked in their rooms. Rose, always in search of information about her mother, talks to Hortense, who reveals her mother's true identity.

Angele's fiancée, Brise Caboche, is desperate to obtain her freedom and blackmails Hortense, who has no choice but to ask her brother for money. However, he is not immediately willing to help a sister who shows public disdain for him. Meanwhile, Rose confides in Vera how she plans to escape the Paradise: seducing Pierre.

Hortense wants to terminate Angele's pregnancy, but the other women band together to allow her to keep the baby. Believing her mother died in the Paradise, Rose seduces Pierre in an attempt to gain her freedom. But soon Pierre's wife arrives at the brothel to confront her husband's mistress, thinking it is Vera...

Pierre will stop at nothing to save himself and begins to entertain the most outrageous customer requests. Hortense mounts a strong opposition, aided by Vera and Rose. Along the way, Rose discovers the truth about her mother...and her own past.