The story begins in a village during the grape harvest. Albrecht, prince of Silesia, assumes the name of Loys and disguised as a peasant, woos the beautiful Giselle. He yearns to lead a happy life, free from the constraints of social convention, but it is a dream he cannot share with his fiancée, the haughty and noble Bathilde. However, Hilarion, the game keeper, who is also in love with Giselle, guesses at the prince’s true identity and unmasks him. The young woman thus discovers the existence of Bathilde. The double shock costs her both her sanity and her life. The second act takes place at night in a forest graveyard. The Wilis, ghosts of young girls who have died of a broken heart before being wed, relentlessly track any masculine presence. Giselle is initiated in the Wilis’ ritual of death by Queen Myrtha. Their first victim is Hilarion. Albrecht looks set to become the second but Giselle saves him by the strength of her love.