American symbology professor Robert Langdon (Hanks) is summoned by the French police to investigate the grisly murder of the Louvre museum curator. Unfortunately, Langdon is the prime suspect and the invite is a mere ruse to capture him.

His rescuer comes in the form of Sophie Neveu (Tautou), the beautiful cryptologist grand-daughter of the dead curator, who helps him escape the cops. Now the two must search for an ancient relic and stop a serial killer who will not stop until he gets what he desires.