L’histoire du chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut

The novel, published in 1731, follows the tumultuous relationship between the Chevalier des Grieux, a young nobleman, and Manon Lescaut, a beautiful but amoral courtesan.

The story is narrated by des Grieux and details their love affair, their struggles with poverty and luxury, and their eventual tragic end in the wilderness of Louisiana.

The work was initially banned in France due to its scandalous content but became highly popular and has been widely adapted into various forms of art, including operas and ballets.