The French Secrets of a Ballerina is based on Honore de Balzac's Un Seul Amour. The title character is ballet-star Clara Biondi (Micheline Presle), whose peak years are shown in flashback. Clara finds herself victimized by blackmailer -- and former lover -- James de Poulet (Robert Vattier). As it turns out, she will do anything to keep her sordid past from husband Gerard de Clergue (Pierre Blanchar). Director Pierre Blanchar (who also appeared in the film) evidently felt that the flashback format was the best method to convey de Balzac's tricky narrative style.