Helen and the other women of Sparta complain to the goddess Aphrodite that love has vanished from their world. On the other hand, Helen is intrigued by the report that Paris has won the love of the most beautiful woman on earth, since she is reputed to be that woman. The kings of Greece arrive in a mock-heroic procession and proceed to play a series of party games, with the prize to be awarded to the winner by Helen herself. Paris, disguised as a shepherd, is triumphant. Helen and Menelas invite Paris to dine with them. Calchas, the high priest, arranges for a phony emergency, which requires Menelas to depart immediately for Crete, leaving Helen and Paris together for an intimate dinner.

Helen vows to resist Paris, although she is clearly attracted to him. She asks Calchas to send her a dream in which she can see Paris and she falls asleep. Disguised as a slave, Paris enters and Helen awakens. The two sing a love duet, which Helen justifies by saying that it is just her dream. Menelas returns unexpectedly, interrupting the kissing couple, and Paris is sent back home to Troy.

The kings have all gone to an off-season holiday at the beach. Aphrodite, angered that Paris has not yet won Helen, has put the entire population into a frenzy of sex and adultery. The other Greek kings urge Menelas to think of the country, rather than his marriage, and give Helen to Paris. He has another plan, however, and summons the “High Priest of Venus” to arrange for help. The High Priest arrives – it is Paris, again in disguise – and orders that Helen set sail to Cythera with him. Helen, recognizing Paris, pretends to resist, but the population insists that she leave. She finally agrees and Paris reveals his true identity, after the boat has sailed from shore.