Chateau de Raray, the setting for Cocteau’s Beauty and the Beast movie

Chateau de Raray, a jewel of classical architecture

Standing in the heart of the village of Raray, in a vast natural region known as Pays de Valois and in the Oise-Pays de France Regional Natural Park, the Chateau de Raray is a hidden gem.

It's an ideal excursion place for fans of folktales, Classical architecture and golf, as the grounds have been transformed into an 18-hole golf course.

The castle, once part of a 12th century lordship, was classified Historical Monument in 1924.

The damage it suffered during the 20th century world wars didn’t stop Cocteau from falling under its spell as he discovered it in 1945.

The playwright chose it to film all the exterior scenes of his movie La Belle et la Bête.

He immediately fell under the spell of the elegant Classical building erected in 1766 to replace the early 16th century Renaissance castle.

Two long monumental balustrades, undoubtedly the castle's most famous architectural elements, delimit the north and south sides of the courtyard of honor.

Unique in France, there were listed Historical Monuments .

Their sculptures, largely inspired by hunting, antiquity and Italy were most likely created by Florentine artists.

The estate surrounding wall with its 4 turrets, watchtower, its famous Porte Rouge which leads into the forest and the old stables are among the castle's additional listed architectural features.

Add to these the farm and its 16th century manor-house and dovecote listed in 1949, the Gothic St. Nicolas Church listed in 1921 and finally the old rectory listed in 1988, which now houses Raray village hall.

The Chateau de Raray is today a prestigious hotel-restaurant and as I wrote above, its wooded grounds were transformed in 1988 into an 18-hole golf course.