Although Beauty and the Beast takes place in France, the only characters who should use a French accent are Lumiere and Babette, who often intermingle French words with their English. Other characters such as Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, and Madame De La Grande Bouche should speak with British accents. For example, Cogsworth’s strict adherence to the rules and extreme punctuality are suggestive of a Received Pronunciation (RP) accent. Similarly, Mrs. Potts's appreciation for a good spot of tea and Madame’s history at the U.K.’s Royal Opera House imply their English roots. Beyond these characters, no accents are necessary. The rest of the cast should feel free to use their natural accents.