Les aventures du roi Pausole

In the harem of Pausole, king of Tryphème
Although in Pausole's kingdom morals are somewhat relaxed, and the monarch has a wife for each day of the year, in respect of his own daughter the king is more strict. During a ballet given for the women of the harem, Aline falls for Mirabelle, a girl dressed as a boy dancer Prince Charming. While the king holds court under a cherry-tree – and lets off all the wrong-doers – Aline runs off to a farm with 'Mirabelle'. But even after reading Aline's note (saying she will return in nine months...) the king is indecisive. Finally he follows the advice of his page Giglio and sets off in search of his daughter.

At the Golden Cockerel farm
The seven farmers get everything ready for the arrival of the king. The farm is the only place to stay on the Tryphème road, and Aline and Mirabelle have stopped here. Mirabelle reveals to Aline that she is in 'travesty' but though surpised by the revelation Aline is none the less eager for experiment. After a duet they disappear as the king enters with Taxis, welcomed by a cantata from the farmers. Pausole sings an air of the legend of the ‘Coupe de Thulé’, then goes off to visit the model farm. Giglio, trying to seduce Thierette, spies Aline and Mirabelle through the key-hole, noting that Mirabelle is not a man. He sends Thierette away, and, in order not to frighten the couple, dresses himself in a peasant's dress, and blackmails them into letting him join their fun. Aline decides that she prefers Giglio's kisses to Mirabelle's and all reveal their true identities. Giglio begins to interest Mirabelle and he agrees to help both Aline and Mirabelle escape. Pausole comes back and falls asleep. Aline finds him and leaves message to reassure him that she is fine. Diane à la Houppe and the harem enter and proclaim that revolt has broken out in the harem. This gives the king the chance to express his wish for peace, in which ‘national anthem’ all join.

At the inn of the ‘Sein blanc et de Westphalie réunis’
After a chorus of soubrettes, Giglio emerges from the king's bedroom, where, in place of the king, the page has had a night of ecstasy with Diane. Aline and Mirabelle are in the same hôtel. The king's daughter is yearning for the young page. Amid comings and goings from the different hotel rooms, there follow the entry of the Spanish chocolate, an air for Taxis, and a telephone duet. Giglio persuades Aline of the advantages of a man making love to a woman, and after Pausole has read a speech on free love, Giglio feels free to make off with Aline. Pausole discovers Aline and Giglio in his bedroom. The king abdicates, and goes off to sleep, to a gentle final chorus.