[3] In 50 B.C., all of Gaul is under the control of the Romans, except for a small village in Armorica (present-day Brittany), whose inhabitants constantly hold back their forces through superhuman strength.

Once inside the camp that evening, Asterix overhears Crismus Bonus talking with his second-in-command, Marcus Ginandtonicus, about his plans to use the magic potion to initiate a rebellion against Rome that will overthrow Julius Caesar.

Eventually, Getafix uses the ingredients he collected to brew a potion which he tricks Crismus Bonus and the Romans to drink, unaware it will cause their hair and beards to grow at an accelerated rate.

After tricking Crismus Bonus to let them gather ingredients for an "antidote" (despite the effects of the lotion wearing off after a day), Getafix supplies the camp with vegetable soup.

Before they make for their village, the pair discover Roman reinforcements have arrived, led by Caesar, who becomes suspicious about what has recently occurred in Compendium.

Asterix soon exposes Crismus Bonus' intentions, prompting Caesar to exile him and his men to Outer Mongolia for their treachery, while allowing the Gauls to leave on the grounds of a truce.

[5][6] An audiobook of Asterix the Gaul adapted by Anthea Bell and narrated by Willie Rushton was released on EMI Records Listen for Pleasure label in 1990.