This film was originally written for François Truffaut, but it never went into production.
Based on the true story of aristocratic siblings Marguerite and Julien de Ravalet who were executed on December 2, 1603 in Place de Grève in Paris for adultery and incest.
The film was shot on the very spot where the story happened, in Le Château des Ravalet.
Léa Seydoux was the original choice for the role of Marguerite. She dropped out 3 months before filming began and was replaced by Anaïs Demoustier after the director auditioned 8 actresses.