The play seems to be a reworking of Louis Josserand senior’s Voyage de Guignol dans la Lune (1852-1854). The authorship is credited to Poncaret. The plot follows the outlines of Josserand senior’s play, but some changes are made to the characters’ motivations and to their names (Guignol’s fiancée is called Madelon). Indeed, Guignol agrees to travel to the Moon so he can make Madelon’s dreams come true with the financial reward. Thus, Madelon is turned into a more selfish character. When Guignol leaves, she displays her sadness and suffering so as to be pitied. Special attention is also granted to the material dimension of the puppet: Gnafron takes great pleasure in eating and drinking and says that such an activity “fits him like a glove” – a remark which could possibly hint at the animation technique. Guignol also complains about his “mannequin” at the beginning of the play.

Guignol embarks on a hot-air balloon set for the Moon, in order to escape poverty and make his fiancée’s dreams come true. The balloon takes him first to the Mer de Glace (a glacier in France), then close to the Sun, and finally to the Moon. Guignol is captured by the guards. But when he meets the king of the Moon, he succeeds in convincing him that it would be more profitable for him to keep him as an ally, since he could establish trades between the Moon and the Earth. Guignol also shows the king the power of firearms, which are manufactured on Earth. Firearms being a lot more effective than the low-tech weapons of the Moon, Guignol promises the king that they will help him subdue an enemy neighbour. He is then appointed general. Gnafron and Madelon eventually travel to the Moon too, and the play ends with a feast.