A Summer's Tale () is a 1996 French romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Éric Rohmer. It is the third film in his Contes des quatre saisons (Tales of the Four Seasons) series, which also includes A Tale of Springtime (1990), Autumn Tale (1998), and A Tale of Winter (1992). A Summer's Tale stars Amanda Langlet, Melvil Poupaud, Aurélia Nolin and Gwenaëlle Simon. The plot is loosely based on Rohmer's experiences as a younger film student and his various relationships. The film was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival. Plot Gaspard, a mathematics graduate and musician, is on summer holiday by the seaside in Dinard. He arrives alone and spends all his time in his friend's empty flat composing music and walking around the town. He meets Margot, a cheerful waitress, at her aunt's restaurant. Despite his initial indifference, they soon become friends and take daily walks around the local beaches and parklands. Margot is an ethnologist, working with some of the locals in her spare time. Gaspard has an on again/off again girlfriend, Léna, who is planning to visit Dinard. Margot has just broken up with a boyfriend because their future careers are incompatible. Gaspard speaks of his confused relationship with Léna while Margot patiently offers advice. Gaspard, an incompetent romantic, doesn't know what to make of their growing closeness and clumsily tries to kiss Margot. She lightheartedly brushes the attempt off and they continue their easy friendship. Margot takes Gaspard on many outings, including a research trip to a local fisherman's house to discuss maritime folk songs. Gaspard is inspired by the fisherman's stories and writes his own sea shanty, a diversion from his typical blues music. Gaspard joins Margot's friends for a night of dancing at a local bar where he feels out of place. One of the girls in the social circle, Solène, notices Gaspard and takes a liking to him. Solène is more sensual, confident, and straightforward in her approach with Gaspard. She conveniently runs into Gaspard at the beach and invites him to another beach across the bay where Solène's uncle has a house and a boat. Solène, a former choir singer, also shows interest in Gaspard's music when he plays the guitar for her while lounging in her uncle's living room. Her attraction to him and his musical talent boosts his low self-esteem with women.