Belle and Sebastian is based on a novel by Cécile Aubry. The story is about a six year old boy named Sébastien and his dog Belle, a Pyrenean Mountain Dog, They live in a small alpine village on the French side of the border between France and Italy. Sébastien lives with his adopted grandfather, sister, and brother. Sébastien's mother died after giving birth to him while trying to cross the border on Saint Sebastian's day.