<P> Variants of the tale are known across Europe . In France , for example , Zémire and Azor is an operatic version of the story , written by Marmontel and composed by Grétry in 1771 , which had enormous success well into the 19th century ; it is based on the second version of the tale . Amour pour amour ( Love for love ) , by Nivelle de la Chaussée , is a 1742 play based on de Villeneuve 's version . According to researchers at universities in Durham and Lisbon , the story originated around 4,000 years ago . </P>
<P> Variants of the tale are known across Europe . In France , for example , Zémire and Azor is an operatic version of the story , written by Marmontel and composed by Grétry in 1771 , which had enormous success well into the 19th century ; it is based on the second version of the tale . Amour pour amour ( Love for love ) , by Nivelle de la Chaussée , is a 1742 play based on de Villeneuve 's version . According to researchers at universities in Durham and Lisbon , the story originated around 4,000 years ago . </P>
when did beauty and the beast take place
when did beauty and the beast take place
around 4,000 years ago
around 4,000 years ago