Discover the real-life French castles where you can follow in the footsteps of Belle on your next holiday.
An all-time favourite film to enchant our children is Beauty and the Beast. Much of the actual filming for Beauty and the Beast took place at Shepperton Studios in Surrey, England but since the fairytale heroine is called Belle, and other characters are named Lumière, and Gaston, it’s not hard to guess that this was originally a French fairytale (first set down by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve in 1740).
Belle’s home village looks just like the kind of villages you seen in places such as Alsace and regions in the north east of France, with gabled houses and cobbled streets. The Beast’s castle in the original animated Disney film was modelled on Château de Chambord, a 16th-century royal hunting lodge in Loir-et-Cher.
It is not possible to stay in that 423-roomed chateau (although you can visit). However it is possible to find your very own private chateaux so that your children can play beauty (or the beast) for themselves in true five star style; maybe they’ll even learn a little French along the way. The good news is that many of these chateaux are also set in magnificent scenery or near some of the world’s best wine regions, so parents will be happy too.
Here’s our choice of luxury family-friendly chateaux in France that you can rent.
This magnificent 12-turreted chateaux know for hosting grand weddings, which makes it perfect for playing at fairytale princesses with a ballroom and a very grand staircase. Cots and high chairs are supplied.
Where: Loire valley
Sleeps: >30
Ideal for: Multi- gen or groups of families holidaying together
This is a real castle with spiral staircases and four-poster beds for little girls and coats of armour that little boys will love. There’s a stone terrace just perfect for playing princess on. A nearby playground is also a bonus.
Where: Languedoc
Sleeps: 18
Ideal for: Disney-lovers
Less turrets than some. Nevertheless kids will love the fact that the chateau has its own rowing boat which can be used on the castle’s original moat. History fans can drive to the D-Day beaches and or visit the Bayeaux Tapestry. There is also table tennis and board games with cots and high chair supplied.
Where: Normandy
Sleeps: 9
Ideal for: History-loving families
This 17th-century castle is surround by gardens. Children may spot deer in the grounds and the local village is a walk away and has horse riding and tennis. There’s a child-safe pool, fenced grounds as well as high chair and cots.
Where: Loire Valley
Sleeps: 12
Ideal for: Lovers of the great outdoors
This traditional moated castle has ten bedrooms with grounds and outbuilding to explore. Rumour has it the king Henry IV once stayed here. The hosts welcome families.
Where: Burgundy
Sleeps: 16
Ideal for: Family reunions
This small chateau is perched on the cliff side with terraced gardens, views of forest and a ruined chapel nearby – just the kind of hidden castle the beast might have wanted to own.
Where: Dordogne
Sleeps: 10
Ideal for: Families that love the romance of the location
This article originally appeared in Five Star Kids magazine. To subscribe to the latest issue, click here.
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