Festival BD en Chinonais

Comic strips in the land of Rabelais

The Festival BD en Chinonais is an annual event for the 9th art held every March in Chinon, an emblematic medieval city on the banks of the Vienne. Organized by the association CLAAC (Culture, Loisirs, Accueil, Activités Chinon), the festival takes over the Espace François Rabelais, a large multi-purpose hall that can accommodate up to 2,000 people, located on the Digue Saint-Lazare.

A program centered around authors and creation

Each edition of the Festival BD en Chinonais is built around a guest of honor, a recognized author in the world of comic strips, and offers a complete program:

• Meetings with authors: dozens of authors, scriptwriters, and illustrators are present to interact with the public
• Signing sessions: privileged moments to get a personalized drawing or signature
• Creative workshops: introduction to drawing and graphic storytelling for children and adults
• Exhibitions: original artwork, retrospectives, and showcasing the universes of the invited authors
• Bookstore area: sale of albums, manga, and graphic novels

A festival driven by the CLAAC association

The CLAAC association is a major player in cultural activities in Chinon. Composed of passionate volunteers, it has been organizing the Festival BD en Chinonais for several years and works in conjunction with cultural stakeholders in the region, particularly libraries, schools, and bookstores in the Chinonais area. The festival benefits from the support of the Ville de Chinon and the Communauté de Communes Chinon Vienne et Loire.

Chinon: a heritage setting for the 9th art

Chinon, famous for its royal fortress, its medieval streets, and its troglodyte cellars, offers an exceptional setting for a cultural festival. Visitors can extend their comic strip day with a discovery of the city's rich heritage, its renowned vineyards, and the gastronomy of Touraine. The Espace François Rabelais, named after the famous writer born nearby, is ideally located to host a family-friendly and convivial event.