Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve was a French novelist born in the late 17th century, known for her contributions to early fairy tales. She is best recognized for writing the original version of Beauty and the Beast, which was published in 1740. Her work combined elements of romance and fantasy, reflecting the cultural interests of her time. Villeneuve's tale was later adapted by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont in 1756, which simplified the story and made it more accessible to a wider audience. This adaptation became the more popular version, overshadowing Villeneuve's original narrative. Her influence on the fairy tale genre remains significant.