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.