--- title: "Do You Recognise These Real Places That Inspired Disney Movies?" description: "Alsace, France; Forbidden City, Beijing, China; Ashdown Forest, England; Cotchford Farm, England; The French Laundry, USA; More ..." url: "https://travel.allwomenstalk.com/do-you-recognise-these-real-places-that-inspired-disney-movies/" category: "travel" last_updated: "2026-06-02" --- # Do You Recognise These Real Places That Inspired Disney Movies? While the fairytale settings of the Disney and Pixar movies are generated by the amazing creative minds of the animators, many of them are inspired by real places around the world. Let's investigate shall we? ## 1. Alsace, France ![Alsace, France](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/io/xl/apog4awy55109d7b2e108769684687_531x800.jpg) They looked to the charming villages of France's smallest region for inspiration for Little Town in Beauty and The Beast. ## 2. Forbidden City, Beijing, China ![Forbidden City, Beijing, China](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/u5/ue/mskapn8i55109d7ba2312786112473_428x640.jpg) ## 3. Ashdown Forest, England ![Ashdown Forest, England](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/af/jl/byj2sc4455109d7d43075644811146_600x800.jpg) Winnie the Pooh creator, A.A. Milne based his Hundred Acre Wood on Ashdown Forest near his home, so it was a natural progression for the movie ## 4. Cotchford Farm, England ![Cotchford Farm, England](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/wl/ro/bvl8tvcw55109d7c10a16912103365_338x536.jpg) And the "Pooh Sticks" bridge actually exists too. ## 5. The French Laundry, USA ![The French Laundry, USA](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/vv/wd/e48nlv7w55109d7d42588251917310_600x775.jpg) Ratatouille may have been set in Paris but the inspiration for the restaurant came from as far away from the French capital as you can imagine. It was based on the highly respected restaurant of master chef Thomas Keller, which is in the Napa Valley, CA ## 6. Machu Picchu, Peru ![Machu Picchu, Peru](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/tz/gd/xqaoudl755109d7d70726951832306_600x903.jpg) Do the mountains of Pacha's village in the Emperor's New Groove look familiar to you? They should; they're based on one of the most famous sights in the world. ## 7. New Orleans, USA ![New Orleans, USA](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/as/rs/xnygngui55109d7ca2d9c919916121_528x790.jpg) There's simply no denying that The Princess and The Frog is set in The Big Easy. ## 8. U-Drop Inn, USA ![U-Drop Inn, USA](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/hi/vw/zbgoil3y55109eadaf901457986712_431x700.jpg) In Cars, Ramone's House of Body Art in the fictional town of Radiator Springs is based on the U-Drop Inn, an Art Deco rest stop in Shamrock, Texas. ## 9. Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland ![Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/ms/ob/n6e0k25255109fa25f6c5880492486_443x640.jpg) Merida’s DunBroch Castle was drawn from the 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle on Scotland's west coast. ## 10. Akershas Fortress, Norway ![Akershas Fortress, Norway](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/pv/t3/p4nvv8xh5510a04bd2c1b489233072_480x640.jpg) Recognize Anna and Elsa's castle home in Frozen? That was just the outside ... ## 11. Stiftsgården, Norway ![Stiftsgården, Norway](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/rm/jz/qz469mof5510a0b3a1d18502882423_476x699.jpg) The interior of the castle was based on rooms inside Stiftsgården, in Trondheim. And ... ## 12. Bryggen, Bergen, Norway ![Bryggen, Bergen, Norway](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/vj/us/nq5t94ld5510a1761623a352483433_427x640.jpg) ... was the inspiration for the town of Arendelle. And lastly for Frozen ... ## 13. Hôtel De Glace, Quebec, Canada ![Hôtel De Glace, Quebec, Canada](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/bt/pe/ehpux4qd5510a240bc2ae060630777_375x500.jpg) The inspiration for Elsa's frozen palace. ## 14. Angel Falls, Venezuela ![Angel Falls, Venezuela](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/md/bx/j33cd5u15510a44d9e972646812033_600x800.jpg) Paradise Falls in Up! were modeled on The world's tallest waterfall, Angel Falls. ## 15. Mont St. Michel, France ![Mont St. Michel, France](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/wm/bj/qxyze2305510a4c3ef720952860202_600x900.jpg) Obvious yes? It's Rapunzel's parents' castle in Tangled. ## 16. Angkor Wat, Cambodia ![Angkor Wat, Cambodia](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/vk/zu/pvg2c25h5510a58a4faca477923143_600x778.jpg) Art Director for Atlantis has stated that the lost city of Atlantic is based loosely on the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site. ## 17. Chateau Du Chambord, France ![Chateau Du Chambord, France](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/km/fq/uw3u70ns5510a67591b89383679014_600x775.jpg) The Beast's castle in Beauty and the Beast. ## 18. Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, USA ![Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, USA](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/n4/r4/lmtb3zr55510a70bd3322473566819_468x625.jpg) The side on silhouettes of the Cadillacs are echoed in Cars as the Cadillac Range of mountains. ## 19. Château De Chillon, Veytaux, Switzerland ![Château De Chillon, Veytaux, Switzerland](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/cn/e7/gglfevdq5510a7af6d33d517163738_583x871.jpg) Prince Eric’s castle in The Little Mermaid ## 20. Alcázar De Segovia, Segovia, Spain ![Alcázar De Segovia, Segovia, Spain](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/ee/lj/j8lg11ob5510a8175aca4197537865_600x900.jpg) The Queen's castle in Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs. ## 21. Neuschwanstein Castle, Schwangau, Germany ![Neuschwanstein Castle, Schwangau, Germany](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/a8/nj/c5ykm6qs5510a885012ea156079859_600x1065.jpg) Walt Disney visited this castle and it inspired both Sleeping Beauty's and Cinderella's castles with influences drawn from other castles too, including Schloss Hochenschwagenau. ## 22. The Serengeti, Africa ![The Serengeti, Africa](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/x0/rl/dxkl2gwm5510a91abbd19609272388_600x902.jpg) The obvious and natural setting for The Lion King. ## 23. The Taj Mahal, Agra, India ![The Taj Mahal, Agra, India](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/fr/n2/ffdfcgw75510a9928f8f8609025854_600x900.jpg) Although the movie is based in the Middle East, in Aladdin, the Sultan's palace is based in look on the famous Taj Mahal. ## 24. Great Barrier Reef, Australia ![Great Barrier Reef, Australia](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/o9/hz/gtg6ug6o5510aaceeee8a236076964_433x650.jpg) Finding Nemo starts in the waters of the reef ## 25. The Harbor, Sydney, Australia ![The Harbor, Sydney, Australia](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/ix/w0/ejkslkh65510ab2c08801507303379_500x677.jpg) And Nemo ends in Sydney's world famous harbor ## 26. Kauaʻi, Hawaii, USA ![Kauaʻi, Hawaii, USA](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/s1/bg/jz45tq265510ab848aeac155794985_600x903.jpg) The stunning setting for Lilo and Stitch. ## 27. Notre Dame, Paris, France ![Notre Dame, Paris, France](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/zb/j0/f4dhxo2b5510ac2590fbf127302932_427x640.jpg) The Hunchback of Notre Dame - the title kinda gives it away ^_^ ## 28. Bloomsbury, London, England ![Bloomsbury, London, England](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/dp/u7/l0p4telb5510acfc66ffe833784078_500x751.jpg) The location of the Darling family home in Peter Pan ## 29. Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone National Park, USA ![Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone National Park, USA](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/ju/d2/nubqshwu5510af93c6e09425165857_418x640.jpg) The Grand Fusel Lodge, Piston Peak National Park in Planes: Fire and Rescue ## 30. Theater of Epidaurus, Greece ![Theater of Epidaurus, Greece](https://resize.allw.mn/1028x0/filters:format(webp)/filters:quality(70)/content/tc/pd/u7n4lhzu5510b20734fc2143844873_600x519.jpg) Proscineum in Hercules Are you now going to rewatch the movies to match the real locations to the fairytale locations? ## Related Posts - [tattoo](https://beauty.allwomenstalk.com/of-the-best-travel-tattoos-in-the-entire-world/) - [which continent is the largest by land area](https://travel.allwomenstalk.com/bucket-list-ideas-sights-you-should-see-on-each-continent/) - [awesome roller coasters](https://travel.allwomenstalk.com/hold-on-tight-the-best-roller-coasters-in-the-world/) - [arendtsville apple festival](https://travel.allwomenstalk.com/dont-miss-these-u-s-festivals-that-will-rock-your-world/) - [must see in boston ma](https://travel.allwomenstalk.com/your-sightseeing-checklist-for-boston/) - [jani gros](https://travel.allwomenstalk.com/places-where-its-easy-to-lose-track-of-time/) - [norway frozen movie](https://travel.allwomenstalk.com/magical-places-in-norway-that-inspired-disneys-frozen/) - [the most beautiful coffee shop in the world](https://travel.allwomenstalk.com/of-the-most-beautiful-cafes-in-the-world-you-need-to-try-to-visit/) - [bizarre buildings](https://travel.allwomenstalk.com/around-the-states-in-bizarre-buildings/) - [game of thrones throne locations](https://travel.allwomenstalk.com/follow-in-the-footsteps-of-daenerys-targaryen-to-these-game-of-throne-locations/) - [Oh That Hollywood Wax Museum...](https://allwomenstalk.com/oh-that-hollywood-wax-museum/) - [If Disney Princesses Were Real ...](https://allwomenstalk.com/if-disney-princesses-were-real/) ## Site Information - [Main page](https://allwomenstalk.com) - [Contact us](https://allwomenstalk.com/contact.html) - [HTML article](https://travel.allwomenstalk.com/do-you-recognise-these-real-places-that-inspired-disney-movies/)