top of page
Search
  • Writer's pictureLauren Kilroy-Ewbank
    • Aug 6
    • 2 min read

Prince Eric's palace and the Château de Chinon in Switzerland

Updated: Aug 6

A castle rises above the see and on it the words "Next time you ride the Storybook Land Canal boats, look for Prince Eric's palace."

Did you know a famous castle in Switzerland inspired Prince Eric’s palace in The Little Mermaid?


The next time you ride the Storybook Land Canal Boats at Disneyland or watch the original Little Mermaid (1989), look closely at Eric’s castle that overlooks the sea. It sits on a rocky outcropping and has large, rounded structures. It’s supposed to evoke a vaguely Mediterranean location, even though the original story is set in Denmark. (I didn’t make the rules!)


The same castle with the words "It is based on a famous castle in Switzerland!"

So, what did Disney animators use for inspiration? The Château de Chinon in Switzerland!

A castle hangs out over Lake Geneva. On it are the words "It is the medieval castle named Château de Chillon in Veytaux near Lausanne."

Prince Eric's palace and the Château de Chinon in Switzerland

The Château de Chinon, too, was built on a rocky outcropping overlooking a body of water, in this case, Lake Geneva. This medieval castle is more angular in its form—Disney animators transformed Eric’s palace to have a more organic, rounded feel.


A large sweeping vista of a blue lake with the words "It was built on a rocky outcropping on the stunning Lake Geneva."

When I last visited the Château, I went on a boat so I could see the entire castle better. It gave me a clearer sense of how Disney animators borrowed from this famous castle and changed it for the film and its miniature in the Storybook Land Canal Boat attraction. The castle’s interior was not used as a model for Eric’s palace.


A castle is viewed through trees and flowers. On it are the words "Disney only borrowed from the exterior to create Eric's palace."

I took many photos, though they don’t do the building justice! (All photos here are mine.)


Château de Chinon in Switzerland
Château de Chinon in Switzerland

More about The Little Mermaid and Disney Fun Facts

I'll write more about The Little Mermaid and this castle, so consider this a teaser. I have been working hard on outlining a new book chapter about Prince Eric's palace and the Château de Chinon in Switzerland.


But for now—who wants to learn more fun facts about this amazing castle and Disneyland? Or how other famous buildings inspired the sultan’s palace in Aladdin and the castle in Tangled or what Disney Imagineers adapted for attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion?


If you answer yes, consider signing up for my newsletter and following me on Instagram to learn even more fun facts about Disney art history! I’m also digging into all of this in more depth in my new book series, The Hidden Art History at Disneyland!


 

Comments

bottom of page