Ambierle BD Festival - Bulles de Caractère
The essential BD event of September in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
About Ambierle BD Festival
The Ambierle BD Festival "Bulles de Caractère" is the unmissable comic strip event in September in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Organized by the association Festival du Livre d'Ambierle in the heart of one of France's seven book villages, this festival brings together around forty comic strip authors each year for a weekend of signings, exhibitions, workshops, and meetings. Heir to the Rhône-Alpes Science Fiction Festival founded in Roanne in 1979 and run for 27 years, the festival settled in Ambierle in 2011 for its first edition under the name "Bulles de Caractère". The village of Ambierle, classified as a Village de Caractère on the Côte Roannaise, hosts the event in its sports hall and on the monastic site of the priory. The festival also offers exhibitions off-site at the Roanne theater and the Joseph Déchelette museum, as well as screenings and author meetings in the Roannais media libraries and cinemas.
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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 BD Festival "Bulles de Caractère", on September 26th and 27th, 2026 at the Ambierle sports hall and monastic site. 38 confirmed comic strip authors, including Eric Chabbert (Outlaws), Christophe Cazenove, Jean-Charles Kraehn, Joël Alessandra, Nora Moretti, Olivier Bocquet, Matz, Deloupy, and many others. 8 exhibitors over 500 square meters. The unmissable BD event of September in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
16th Edition: Bulles de Caractère 2026
The Ambierle BD Festival "Bulles de Caractère" returns for its 16th edition on September 26th and 27th, 2026 at the sports hall and monastic site of Ambierle. With 38 confirmed authors and 8 exhibitors spread over 500 square meters, this edition promises to be a great one for comic strip enthusiasts in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
Eric Chabbert, Guest of Honor
Among the featured authors for this edition is Eric Chabbert, screenwriter of the Western series Outlaws, who 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 strips.
38 Confirmed Authors
The 16th edition brings together a lineup of 38 authors representing the diversity of contemporary comic strip creation:
- Joël Alessandra - Watercolorist and travel journal author
- William Augel
- Céline Bailleux
- Emilie Beaud
- Benjamin Blasco-Martinez
- Olivier Bocquet - Screenwriter (Le Château des étoiles)
- Jean-Sébastien Bordas
- Marc Bourgne
- Antoine Brivet
- Amélie Causse
- Christophe Cazenove - Author of Les Sisters, Les Petits Mythos
- Eric Chabbert - Screenwriter 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 - Screenwriter (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
A Weekend of Meetings 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 related to the 9th art. The bookstore Le Comptoir de Roanne will be selling albums on-site.
The full program, including off-site exhibitions and events during the week leading up to the festival, will be announced later on the festival's official website and social media.
Programme Ambierle BD Festival 2026
Program - Saturday, September 26th, 2026 (Ambierle)
- 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Signings with 38 comic strip authors - Ambierle sports hall and monastic site
- BD workshops for children
- Exhibitions
- Le Comptoir de Roanne bookstore on-site
Program - Sunday, September 27th, 2026 (Ambierle)
- 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM: Signings with 38 comic strip authors - Ambierle sports hall and monastic site
- BD workshops for children
- Exhibitions
- Le Comptoir de Roanne bookstore on-site
Confirmed Authors (38)
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.
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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Travel to this festival
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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