Angles-sur-l'Anglin Book Festival

The Book Festival: over 30 years of literary passion in Angles-sur-l'Anglin

Since 1992, the Angles-sur-l'Anglin Book Festival has transformed this medieval gem in the Anglin valley into a true open-air book city every August. Originally a modest second-hand book fair, the event has gradually established itself as a must-see cultural event in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, attracting exhibitors and visitors from all over France to an exceptional heritage setting.

A Village of Books in the Heart of a Listed Site

Angles-sur-l'Anglin, labeled "Most Beautiful Villages in France", offers a unique setting for this celebration of books and their crafts. The festival takes over the upper town—its squares, medieval streets, and market square—at the foot of the imposing feudal castle ruins and near the famous Roc-aux-Sorciers, a world-renowned prehistoric site. Exhibitor stands are set up in the square and streets, creating a literary walking tour where every turn offers a new discovery.

80 Exhibitors and 20 Authors for Signings

The heart of the festival is its book fair, which brings together nearly 80 exhibitors from all over France: antique booksellers, second-hand booksellers, independent publishers, and regional publishing houses. Lovers of rare books, first editions, and beautiful bindings will find an exceptional hunting ground here. In parallel, about twenty authors present and sign their latest works during warm and accessible signing sessions.

Book Craftspeople in the Spotlight

One of the unique features of the Angles Festival is its focus on book craftspeople and their ancestral skills. Engravers, illustrators, illuminators, binders, and caricaturists give live demonstrations of their art, revealing to the public the precise and patient gestures that bring the most beautiful books to life. Participatory workshops allow visitors, adults and children alike, to try their hand at these book trades and leave with their own creations.

A Festive and Musical Program

Beyond the book fair, the festival offers a rich program of activities that punctuate the three days of the event. Puppet shows enchant the youngest, while storytelling sessions and musical readings transport listeners to imaginary worlds. Street entertainment and concerts—French chanson, accordion, Cuban, Balkan, swing, and gypsy jazz—infuse a joyful energy throughout the village. The "Garden Talks", intimate exchange sessions with authors and personalities from the book world, complete this eclectic program.

An Event Rooted in its Territory

Organized by the Comité des fêtes d'Angles-sur-l'Anglin with the support of the municipality, the Book Festival is a unifying event that mobilizes village volunteers and contributes to the touristic appeal of this rural area. On-site refreshments and food stands invite visitors to extend their stay and enjoy the panoramic views of the Anglin valley, the castle ruins, and the sculpted cliffs. An event not to be missed for all lovers of books and heritage.