It first appeared in the UK on BBC1 on Monday afternoons, running from 2 October 1967 to 1 January 1968.
[2] Filmed in and around the village of Belvédère in Alpes-Maritimes, its combination of authentic locations, sensitive writing, and winning performances by the actors, makes it an enduring classic.
The part of Sebastian was played by Mehdi El Glaoui, Cécile Aubry's son from her marriage to Si Brahim El Glaoui, the eldest son of Thami El Glaoui, the Pasha of Marrakesh, whom she met in 1950 while filming The Black Rose.
[3] The serial spawned two further 13 part colour film sequels Sébastien parmi les hommes ("Sebastian Among Men") (1968) retitled Belle, Sebastian and the Horses by the BBC and Sébastien et la Mary-Morgane ("Sebastian and the Mary Morgan") (1970) which was not broadcast by the BBC.
The Scottish indie pop band Belle and Sebastian took their name from the TV series.