7 Real-Life Places in France to Live Out Your Disney Movie Fantasies
France is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and it appears that Disney has long held this same belief. Over the past 50+ years, there have been countless nods to locations throughout France in many Disney movies. This should put France on the top of any Disney-lover’s travel bucket list. Today I’ll be going over 7 real life places in France where you can live out your Disney movie Fantasies.
Below are some of the top locations that have inspired some of the most iconic moments in Disney Animation:
1. Towns of Alsace – Beauty & the Beast
It is said that Belle’s town in Beauty and the Beast was modeled after the old towns of Alsace, France. This region has a long history of being greatly influenced by German culture and is a unique area of France that has still held onto its heritage. Once you arrive, you immediately feel like you’ve been transported back in time, walking down cobblestone pathways as you pass by delicious bakeries and old bookstores.
2. Chateau de Chambord in the Loire Valley – Beauty & the Beast
France is known for having some of the most breathtaking castles throughout Europe, so it will come as no surprise that these chateaux were of great inspiration to Disney animators as they drew up plans for many of the castles we recognize in their animated movies today.
One such castle is the Chateau de Chambord, which is said to have been the inspiration for the castle in Beauty and the Beast. Once you step inside, it’s easy to see why. Many of the unique spirals you see in the Beast’s castle look like they’ve come directly from Chambord and you can almost picture Belle as she walks up that circular staircase to rescue Maurice as you walk up a very similar circular staircase at Chambord.
3. Mont Saint Michel in Normandy – Tangled
The Mont Saint Michel is said to be one of the most famous landmarks in all of France. It is a truly remarkable place, especially when the tides have come in. So it comes as no surprise that what makes this historic landmark so iconic, was also the inspiration for the beautiful castle in Tangled. While the Mont Saint Michel was never a castle itself (instead it is one of the most renowned abbeys in Europe), it’s easy to imagine it as such with the abbey being such a central part of the “island”.
4. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris – The Hunchback of Notre Dame
You could spend an entire week in Paris seeing places that inspired Disney movies. The city of lights has long been at the forefront of Disney culture. One the most famous and recognizable of these is The Hunchback of Notre Dame set inside the historic cathedral of the same name. You could easily spend hours exploring Notre Dame through the lens of this movie. Inside, outside, underneath…. There are so many different moments from this movie that you can see come to life on your own tour.
5. Seine River & Tour d’Argent in Paris – Ratatouille
Paris is also the backdrop for this beautiful movie and it’s easy to see why. You can actually do tours of the French sewers today because of this film. If you really want to walk in the footsteps of Remy, spend an entire day exploring Paris through his eyes. Take a boat down the Seine, visit the sewers, & eat at Tours D’Argent which is said to have been the inspiration for Gusteau’s.
6. Le Petit Café in Paris – Aristocats
Follow another cast of animated characters around the streets of Paris. That’s right, Aristocats is also set in Paris. Meet Uncle Waldo at Le Petit Café where he can sober up with some tea and you can get the most amazing breakfast or lunch of your life.
7. Chateau de Bonnemare in Normandy – Cinderella
Last, but certainly not least, is Cinderella. A story set entirely in French-inspired locations. Treat yourself like the princesses you are and stay overnight in a chateau like the one Cinderella grew up in. There are lots of bed and breakfast chateaux around the country but this one in particular gives me all the Cinderella feels.
If you could go anywhere tomorrow, which of these Disney-inspired locations would you visit first?
