Festival BD de Boulogne-sur-Mer

The Festival BD de Boulogne-sur-Mer: over 30 years of passion

Since 1990, the Festival BD de Boulogne-sur-Mer has brought together comic strip enthusiasts every autumn in the elegant halls of the Town Hall. Driven by the association Les Amis de la BD and its founder Bruno Ghys, this festival has successfully retained a loyal audience of fans and collectors while attracting new readers curious to discover the 9th art.

Meet the authors

The heart of the festival lies in the meet-and-greets with the authors. Each edition hosts about ten authors—writers, illustrators, colorists—from all over France for personalized signing sessions. These special moments allow readers to interact directly with the creators of their favorite series, discover their creative process, and leave with a unique drawing.

Thematic exhibitions

The festival features thematic exhibitions highlighting the universe of an author, a series, or a trend in comic strips. Original pages, preparatory sketches, and unpublished documents offer a privileged look into the art of graphic storytelling.

Sketchbooks

One of the unique features of the Festival BD de Boulogne is the publication of exclusive sketchbooks, created specifically for the occasion by the invited authors. These limited-edition publications have become sought-after collector's items for enthusiasts.

A human-sized festival

The Festival BD de Boulogne-sur-Mer deliberately cultivates a friendly, human-sized dimension. Far from the giants of the genre, it offers an intimate and warm setting where genuine exchanges between authors and readers are possible. This proximity is the strength and identity of the event, which has endured for decades while preserving its passionate soul.

Rooted in Boulogne's heritage

The setting of the Boulogne-sur-Mer Town Hall, with its ornate rooms and remarkable architecture, lends a special atmosphere to the festival. Visitors take the opportunity to discover the city's rich heritage: the fortified Old Town, the castle-museum, the Nausicaá center, and the fishing port.