 At evening in the main square, the burgomaster Van der Prout announces the imminent return from a pilgrimage to the monastery of Mount Poupard of Duke Sifroid’s party.The Duke, married to the beautiful Geneviève of Brabant, has fallen under a curse which prevents them from having any children.To find a cure, a competition is organized and is won by Drogan, a young baker, offering a magic pie.