France at the beginning of the 19th century: Francois Vidocq is a former criminal who has also long held the reputation of being a king of escapees. Now the ex-criminal has changed fronts and is now in the service of the Minister of Justice for the French criminal police and has thus been appointed head of the "Sureté". In his new activities, he is to vigorously stir up the underworld with the help of his rich contacts and detailed expertise. His former adversary Flambart is henceforth his colleague, who watches him with full suspicion. In the pretty Baroness de Saint-Gely, the courageous crime boss has a secret admirer. So Vidocq continues to cultivate his old contacts, which are very useful to him in solving many a case ... Episode 1 of the French cult series with Claude Brasseur in the title role of François Vidocq.