Festival BD Pyrénées
The meeting point for comic strips at the foot of the Pyrenees
About Festival BD Pyrénées
Festival BD Pyrénées: Comic Strips Celebrate in Billère
Since 2010, the Festival BD Pyrénées has established itself as the unmissable event for comic strip enthusiasts in the Pau region. Supported by the association Pichenettes, based at the Villa des Violettes in Billère, this festival combines a passion for comics, encounters with authors, and activities for all audiences.
A Free and Accessible Festival
Admission to the festival is completely free, in line with the philosophy of the Pichenettes association, which advocates for universal access to culture. For two days, the Halle de Billère transforms into a temple of comic strips, hosting over twenty authors for continuous signing sessions, original exhibitions, conferences, drawing battles, and workshops for younger attendees.
An Ambitious Educational Program
The Festival BD Pyrénées stands out for its commitment to young audiences. Every year, the Friday preceding the festival is dedicated to welcoming classes, with author interventions in schools from Tuesday to Thursday. A Youth Comic Day is also organized in February, extending the association's activities throughout the year.
Thematic Focuses
Each edition features a thematic focus to highlight a scene, genre, or country. The 16th edition in 2025 will, for the first time, dedicate a focus to Spanish comic strips, while previous editions have explored independent comics, manga, digital comics, and the links between comics and cinema.
A Friendly Opening Evening
The festival traditionally begins with an opening evening on Friday, held at La Ferronnerie in Jurançon, combining encounters with invited authors, illustrated readings, and moments of conviviality. This evening sets the tone for a weekend dedicated to creativity and sharing.
The Pichenettes Association
Based at the Villa des Violettes in Billère, the Pichenettes association works year-round to promote comic strips in the region. It organizes workshops, manages a comic strip lending library, and fosters a network of authors and illustrators in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques.
Festival BD Pyrénées — edition 2026
The 17th edition of the Festival BD Pyrénées takes place on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, 2026, at the Halle de Billère, with a preview on Friday, June 12. The guest of honor is the Pau-born screenwriter Wilfrid Lupano (Les Vieux Fourneaux, La Bibliomule de Cordoue, Le Loup en slip), surrounded by about thirty authors for signings, including Argentinians Eduardo Risso (4-time Eisner Awards winner) and Enrique Breccia, Mexican Tony Sandoval, as well as Paul Cauuet, Rodguen, Ohazar, Mayana Itoïz, Alfred, and Léonard Chemineau. Free admission.
17th Edition — June 13 and 14, 2026 (preview on June 12)
The Festival BD Pyrénées returns for its 17th edition on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, 2026 at the Halle de Billère, preceded by an opening night on Friday, June 12 at the Salle Robert de Lacaze. As every year, admission is entirely free.
Wilfrid Lupano, Guest of Honor
Screenwriter Wilfrid Lupano, originally from Pau and author of cult series such as Les Vieux Fourneaux, Le Loup en slip, and La Bibliomule de Cordoue, is this edition's guest of honor. He will participate in several highlights: a conference about La Bibliomule de Cordoue with historian Julie Gallego, a live drawing reading of Le Loup en slip with Mayana Itoïz, and a unique round table where he will be interviewed by three of his illustrators (Paul Cauuet, Rodguen, and Ohazar).
An International Line-up
Beyond the guest of honor, the 2026 edition welcomes about thirty authors and illustrators, including an exceptional international delegation: Eduardo Risso (Argentina, four-time Eisner Awards winner), Enrique Breccia (Argentina/Italy/USA), Tony Sandoval (Mexico), as well as Alfred, Léonard Chemineau, and Mayana Itoïz.
On the Program
Continuous signings, unique exhibitions, conferences, drawing battles, comic book swap at the organic market, screening at Le Méliès cinema in Pau, discussions about Franco-Spanish comic book humor, youth workshops, and a concert on Friday evening at La Ferronnerie de Jurançon. The illustrated journal Ébullition(s), a collaboration between the festival and the University of Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, will also be presented throughout the weekend.
Programme Festival BD Pyrénées 2026
Friday, June 12, 2026 — Preview
- 7:30 PM — Show Animaux Totems, creation by Alfred (live drawing) and Sébastien Capazza (music) · Salle Robert de Lacaze, Billère · Free admission, reservation recommended
- 8:00 PM — Concert and DJ set with invited authors · La Ferronnerie, Jurançon
Saturday, June 13, 2026 — Main Day
- 9:00 AM — 1:00 PM — Comic book swap at the organic market in front of the Halle
- 9:00 AM — 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM — 7:00 PM — Continuous signings by about thirty authors · Halle de Billère
- 11:00 AM — Conference La Bibliomule de Cordoue with Wilfrid Lupano and historian Julie Gallego · Salle Robert de Lacaze
- 1:00 PM — Official inauguration and reception · Halle de Billère
- 3:00 PM — 4:00 PM — Discussion on Franco-Spanish comic book humor · Salle Robert de Lacaze
- 5:00 PM — Screening of the film Sur la route d'El Dorado · Cinéma Le Méliès, Pau
- 7:00 PM — Improvised drawing battle · Halle de Billère
Sunday, June 14, 2026
- 10:00 AM — 6:00 PM — Continuous signings · Halle de Billère
- 11:00 AM — 12:00 PM — Live drawing reading Le Loup en slip with Wilfrid Lupano and Mayana Itoïz · Halle de Billère
- 3:00 PM — 4:00 PM — Round table Lupano by his Illustrators, with Paul Cauuet, Rodguen, and Ohazar · Halle de Billère
Permanent Activities (Saturday and Sunday)
- Original exhibitions at the Halle de Billère and Villa des Violettes (including an exhibition of 20 original plates)
- Library area and comic book lending collection
- Youth workshops led by Pyrénées Manga and the Pichenettes association
- Food trucks on the Halle forecourt
Highlights Festival BD Pyrénées 2026
- Wilfrid Lupano guest of honor — author of Les Vieux Fourneaux, Le Loup en slip, and La Bibliomule de Cordoue
- Exceptional international delegation: Eduardo Risso (4× Eisner), Enrique Breccia, Tony Sandoval
- Unique round table Lupano by his Illustrators (Cauuet, Rodguen, Ohazar)
- Opening show Animaux Totems by Alfred and Sébastien Capazza
- Live drawing reading of Le Loup en slip by Lupano and Mayana Itoïz
- Completely free admission
Prices Festival BD Pyrénées 2026
Practical information — Festival BD Pyrénées
Practical Information
Location
Halle de Billère, 64140 Billère. 5 minutes from Pau city center.
Hours
Saturday from 9 AM to 6 PM, Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Price
Free admission.
Contact
Association Pichenettes - Villa des Violettes, impasse Odeau, 64140 Billère. Email: [email protected]
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Where does it take place — Festival BD Pyrénées
Halle de Billère
Halle de Billère, 64140 Billère