Festival de la BD du Pays de Château-Gontier

15th edition: the sea in the spotlight

The 15th edition of the Festival de la BD du Pays de Château-Gontier will take place on October 4th and 5th, 2025, at the Pôle culturel Les Ursulines. This year, the festival sets sail for the sea, a theme that permeates the entire program: exhibitions, encounters, activities, and a drawn concert.

The guest of honor is Emmanuel Lepage, a renowned author for his maritime works such as Ar-Men and the first comic strip author to receive the title of Official Painter of the Navy. A retrospective of his works related to the sea will be presented in the cloister of the Ursulines.

More than 71 authors will be present for signing sessions throughout the weekend. On Sunday from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM, Emmanuel Lepage will participate in a discussion panel on the theme of the sea, accompanied by Sophie Ladame.

The program also includes a drawn concert, board games, an audio escape game, and numerous workshops for all ages. The exhibitions highlight the richness of maritime comic strips through the perspectives of several invited artists.

Saturday, October 4th

• 10 AM - 6 PM: Signings with over 71 authors
• 10 AM - 6 PM: Thematic exhibitions on the sea
• Afternoon: Drawing workshops and board games
• Afternoon: Audio escape game

Sunday, October 5th

• 10 AM - 6 PM: Signings and author encounters
• 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM: Discussion panel with Emmanuel Lepage and Sophie Ladame on the theme of the sea
• Afternoon: Drawn concert
• Afternoon: Youth activities

• Emmanuel Lepage, Official Painter of the Navy, guest of honor
• Theme of the sea for this 15th edition
• Over 71 authors present for signings
• Retrospective of Emmanuel Lepage's maritime works
• Drawn concert
• Audio escape game
• Discussion panel on the sea with Emmanuel Lepage and Sophie Ladame
• Free admission