Ambierle BD Festival - Bulles de Caractère
The essential BD event of September in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
About Ambierle BD Festival
A heritage of over 40 years of passion for the 9th art
The history of the Ambierle BD Festival is rooted in the Rhône-Alpes Science Fiction and Imaginary Festival, founded in Roanne in 1979 on the initiative of Jo Taboulet. For 27 years, this festival made Roanne a major meeting place for science fiction, fantasy, and comic strip enthusiasts in the region. In 2002, the Village du Livre (Book Village) was created in Saint-Romain-la-Motte before moving to Ambierle, a village of character nestled on the slopes of the Côte Roannaise. In 2009-2010, the RenaisonBD – Bulles en Côte roannaise project laid the groundwork for a new festival dedicated to comic strips. In 2011, the first edition of "Bulles de Caractère" was launched in Ambierle, perpetuating the spirit of the Roanne festival in an exceptional heritage setting.
Ambierle, village of books and character
Ambierle is one of the seven Book Villages in France, a label that distinguishes municipalities that have made books and culture their identity. Classified as a Village de Caractère in the Loire department, Ambierle captivates with its 11th-century Benedictine priory, its Gothic church with remarkable stained glass windows, and its Alice Taverne museum dedicated to the arts and popular traditions of the Roannais region. Located on the Côte Roannaise, a renowned wine-growing area, the village offers an ideal setting for a cultural festival combining heritage, literature, and comic strips.
A festival rooted in its territory
The Ambierle BD Festival unfolds over several days and in several locations in the Roannais region. The heart of the festival beats at the Ambierle sports hall and on the monastic site of the priory, where around forty authors meet the public for signing sessions. But the event extends far beyond the village: exhibitions are organized at the Roanne theater and the Joseph Déchelette museum, film screenings at the Espace Renoir cinema in Roanne, and author meetings in the media libraries of the Roannais. This territorial dimension is what makes the festival unique, as it energizes the entire Roannais living area.
A rich program for all audiences
Each edition offers a varied program that emphasizes the meeting between authors and readers:
- Signings with around forty comic strip authors, covering all genres: Franco-Belgian BD, science fiction, fantasy, children's, graphic novels, manga
- Exhibitions showcasing the work of invited artists, as part of the festival and off-site
- "L'œuvre en résonance": an original concept that contrasts the universe of a comic strip author with the collections of the Joseph Déchelette museum
- Comic strip workshops for children and schoolchildren
- Screenings of films related to comic strips and the imaginary
- Meetings and conferences with authors in the media libraries and cultural venues of the Roannais
- Bookstore with the presence of the bookstore Le Comptoir de Roanne for the sale of signed albums
A passionate team
The festival is driven by the association Festival du Livre d'Ambierle, chaired by Jo Taboulet, a historical figure of the festival since its origins in Roanne. The team is completed by Jean-Philippe Alizay (vice-president and treasurer), René Andriol (secretary), and Sophie Clairfayt (assistant secretary). Marie-Pierre Alizay manages author relations and cultural mediation. The entire operation relies on the commitment of passionate volunteers who work year-round to keep the Village du Livre alive and organize the festival.
Ambierle BD Festival — edition 2026
16th edition of the Ambierle Comic Book Festival « Bulles de Caractère », on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27, 2026, at the sports hall and on the Cluniac site of Ambierle (Loire). 39 confirmed comic book authors and artists, including Eric Chabbert (Outlaws), Christophe Cazenove (Les Sisters), Jean-Charles Kraehn (Gil St-André), Matz (Le Tueur), Joël Alessandra, Olivier Bocquet, Nora Moretti, Deloupy and Daria Schmitt. On the program: signing sessions, exhibitions, comic book workshops for children and an on-site bookstore. The unmissable September comic book event in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
16th Edition: Bulles de Caractère 2026
The Ambierle Comic Book Festival « Bulles de Caractère » returns for its 16th edition on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27, 2026, at the sports hall and on the Cluniac site of Ambierle. With 39 confirmed authors and artists, this edition promises to be a great vintage for comic book enthusiasts in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
Eric Chabbert, a key figure of this edition
Among the leading authors of this edition, Eric Chabbert, illustrator and scriptwriter of the western series Outlaws, will be present to meet his readers and sign his albums. A recognized figure in the 9th art, he joins an eclectic program that covers all genres of comic books.
39 Confirmed Authors
The 16th edition brings together a lineup of 39 authors and artists representing the diversity of contemporary comic book creation:
- Joël Alessandra — watercolorist and travelogue author
- William Augel
- Céline Bailleux
- Emilie Beaud
- Benjamin Blasco-Martinez
- Olivier Bocquet — scriptwriter (Le Château des étoiles)
- Jean-Sébastien Bordas
- Marc Bourgne
- Antoine Brivet
- Amélie Causse
- Christophe Cazenove — author of Les Sisters, Les Petits Mythos
- Eric Chabbert — illustrator and scriptwriter of Outlaws
- Franck Chantelouve
- Brice Cossu
- Deloupy
- Tatiana Domas
- Boris Du Vigan-Golzio
- Yomguy Dumont
- Anaïs Flogny
- Gaëlle Geniller
- Elisabeth Jammes
- Alexis Kolonelchabert-Chabert
- Jean-Charles Kraehn — author of Gil St-André, Aviateur
- Matz — scriptwriter (Le Tueur, Mort au Tsar)
- Thibaut Mazoyer
- Nora Moretti — illustrator of Princesse Sara
- Aurélien Morinière
- Alexandre Nesme
- P. Lordvig
- Christian Paty
- Jérôme Pélissier
- Christian Peultier
- Frédéric Pham Chuong
- Daria Schmitt
- Alexis Sentenac
- Anne Truong Delfosse
- Francis Vallès
- Virginio Vona
- Vincent Wagner
A weekend of encounters and discoveries
On Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday, visitors can meet the authors, get their favorite albums signed, and discover new graphic universes. As every year, the festival will offer workshops for children, exhibitions, and activities centered around the 9th art. Le Comptoir de Roanne bookstore will handle on-site album sales.
The full program, including off-site exhibitions and events during the week surrounding the festival, will be announced later on the official website and social media channels of the festival.
Programme Ambierle BD Festival 2026
Saturday, September 26, 2026 — Ambierle
2:00 PM — 6:00 PM: signing sessions with 39 comic book authors and artists, at the sports hall and on the Cluniac site of Ambierle.
- Comic book workshops for children
- Exhibitions
- Le Comptoir de Roanne bookstore on site
Sunday, September 27, 2026 — Ambierle
10:00 AM — 6:00 PM: signing sessions with 39 comic book authors and artists, at the sports hall and on the Cluniac site of Ambierle.
- Comic book workshops for children
- Exhibitions
- Le Comptoir de Roanne bookstore on site
Confirmed Authors (39)
Joël Alessandra, William Augel, Céline Bailleux, Emilie Beaud, Benjamin Blasco-Martinez, Olivier Bocquet, Jean-Sébastien Bordas, Marc Bourgne, Antoine Brivet, Amélie Causse, Christophe Cazenove, Eric Chabbert, Franck Chantelouve, Brice Cossu, Deloupy, Tatiana Domas, Boris Du Vigan-Golzio, Yomguy Dumont, Anaïs Flogny, Gaëlle Geniller, Elisabeth Jammes, Alexis Kolonelchabert-Chabert, Jean-Charles Kraehn, Matz, Thibaut Mazoyer, Nora Moretti, Aurélien Morinière, Alexandre Nesme, P. Lordvig, Christian Paty, Jérôme Pélissier, Christian Peultier, Frédéric Pham Chuong, Daria Schmitt, Alexis Sentenac, Anne Truong Delfosse, Francis Vallès, Virginio Vona, Vincent Wagner.
Highlights Ambierle BD Festival 2026
- 16th edition of the "Bulles de Caractère" festival
- 38 confirmed comic strip authors
- Eric Chabbert (Outlaws) among the guests
- Christophe Cazenove (Les Sisters, Les Petits Mythos)
- Jean-Charles Kraehn (Gil St-André, Aviateur)
- Matz (Le Tueur, Mort au Tsar)
- Nora Moretti (Princesse Sara)
- Joël Alessandra, Olivier Bocquet, Deloupy, and many other authors
- 8 exhibitors over 500 square meters
- BD workshops for children
- Le Comptoir de Roanne bookstore on-site
Prices Ambierle BD Festival 2026
Practical information — Ambierle BD Festival
Practical Information
Access
The festival mainly takes place at the Ambierle sports hall and on the monastic site, in the heart of the village of Ambierle (42820), in the Loire department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
- By car: Ambierle is located 15 km northwest of Roanne, accessible via the D8 then the D36. From the A89 (Lyon-Clermont-Ferrand), take the Balbigny exit then head towards Roanne. From the A77 (Paris-Nevers), follow the direction of Roanne then Ambierle. Free parking in the village.
- By train: Roanne station (TER from Lyon in about 1h15, from Saint-Étienne in 1h). Shuttles or carpooling from Roanne to Ambierle on festival days.
Festival Venues
- Ambierle sports hall and monastic site: heart of the festival, signings and activities (Saturday and Sunday)
- Roanne Theater: exhibition of an invited artist (in the weeks surrounding the festival)
- Joseph Déchelette Museum (Roanne): "L'œuvre en résonance" exhibition (in the weeks surrounding the festival)
- Espace Renoir Cinema (Roanne): film screening on Friday evening
- Le Coteau Media Library: author meeting on Saturday morning
Opening Hours
- Saturday: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Prices
- Admission: 3 euros
- Free for children under 12 years old
Food & Drink
On-site catering provided by local producers and food trucks. The village of Ambierle also has restaurants: Le Prieuré, Le Lancelot.
Bookstore
The bookstore Le Comptoir from Roanne sells albums by the present authors. Signings are for books purchased on-site.
Contact
- Association: Festival du Livre d'Ambierle / Village du Livre d'Ambierle
- Address: Village du Livre, Mairie - Le Prieuré, 42820 Ambierle
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone (Jean-Philippe Alizay): 06 86 18 00 97
- Phone (Jo Taboulet): 06 04 14 85 77
- Website: festivalbd-ambierle.fr
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Where does it take place — Ambierle BD Festival
Salle des Sports et Site Clunisien d'Ambierle
Mairie - Le Prieuré, 42820 Ambierle