Belle was a young girl, probably in her late teens or early twenties, who lived in a small French village with her father, Maurice.  She was considered "odd" by the rest of the village because she read books and was very intelligent.  When her father was captured by the Beast, a prince who had been cursed by an enchantress for his selfishness, Belle triedto save her father by offering herself instead.  She eventually fell in love with the Beast and her kindness and love helped to change him back into his human form.  
         
Belle was the star in Disney's film Beauty and the Beast that was released in 1991; the film was based on the novel written by Jeanne Marie Leprince de Beaumont (1711-1780).  It was the 30th animated film created by Disney and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture and won two Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Song.  Paige O'Hara voiced the character of Belle for the film. 

Trivia :  Belle in French translates to "beautiful." 
Beauty and the Beast was the first full-length animated feature film to win a Golden Globe award for Best Picture in the musical or comedy genre.

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