The Baker's Wife is a love story set in the French town of Concorde, where people have been without a baker for six weeks and are filled with anticipation at the arrival of the new master baker Aimable Castagnie. The baker and his wife arrive, but when Aimable's wife runs off with a young villager, Aimable can not accept the truth. At first the villagers make fun of the bakers situation until his goodness forces them to open their hearts and try to help him.

The musical, featuring a book by Joseph Stein and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, is based on the film La Femme de Boulanger by Marcel Pagnol and Jean Giono.