Beauty and the Beast is a classic fairytale written by French author Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve in 1740. It tells the story of a beautiful young woman named Belle who is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle. The beast eventually falls in love with Belle and she with him, and they live happily ever after. The term 'BEAUTY and the Beast' has become a popular phrase to describe any situation where an unlikely pair come together and form a strong bond.