Livres au Château de Thillombois
Literary fair at the Château de Thillombois
About Livres au Château
A literary fair in an exceptional setting
Livres au Château is a literary event that takes place in the prestigious setting of the Château de Thillombois, a historic building nestled in the Meuse countryside. Created by the association Connaissance de la Meuse, recognized as being of public utility, this fair aims to promote reading and literature in a rural area, by offering the public the opportunity to meet renowned authors in a historic heritage site.
Nationally renowned authors
Each edition brings together about fifteen authors with diverse universes: novelists, essayists, historians, illustrators, and children's authors. Round tables allow for discussions with the writers about their careers, inspirations, and latest publications. Signing sessions offer a special moment for authors and readers to connect. Among the past guests, we find the Meuse writer Michel Bernard, the wine journalist and historian Laure Gasparotto, and the illustrator Camille Tisserand.
Activities for all audiences
The festival offers a rich and varied program of activities that goes far beyond simple book signings. Visitors can enjoy captivating readings, a children's reading corner, the Graffomaton (literary portrait sessions), a comic book exhibition, a recording studio to try reading aloud, and creative workshops such as making macramé bookmarks or paper flowers.
The Château de Thillombois
The Château de Thillombois is the perfect setting for this literary fair. This historic residence, surrounded by its park, offers an elegant and peaceful environment conducive to reading and reflection. The castle's spaces are arranged as a literary bar and relaxation area where visitors can relax with a book, a coffee, and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the place.
Commitment to culture in Meuse
The association Connaissance de la Meuse, organizer of the fair, has been working for many years to promote the heritage and culture of Meuse. Livres au Château is part of this mission by offering a quality literary event, rooted in the territory and open to all audiences.
Livres au Château — edition 2026
The 4th edition of Livres au Château was held on Sunday, May 3, 2026, from 10 am to 6 pm, in the lounges and park of the Château de Thillombois. Co-organized by the Connaissance de la Meuse association and La Fabrique bookstore (Verdun), this family-friendly edition brought together 18 authors from all over France: novelists, illustrators, comic book artists, children's authors, and historians, for meetings, book signings, creative workshops, readings, and entertainment. Free admission, on-site catering with Les Cantinières food truck.
A successful and family-friendly 4th edition
For this 4th edition, the Livres au Château fair welcomed a large audience in the prestigious setting of the Meuse château, nestled in its 43-hectare landscaped park. The program, deliberately oriented towards youth and family, appealed to young and old alike thanks to the presence of children's authors, workshops for children, and the mascot Azuro who roamed the castle's aisles during the day's highlights.
Eighteen authors from all over France
The fair brought together 18 authors with varied universes: Laure Gasparotto (journalist and wine historian, author of Le Vin, un peu, beaucoup, passionnément), Michel Bernard (Meuse novelist), Claire Saim (co-author of the Encyclopédie visuelle Jane Austen), Franck Gérard (archaeologist), Adeline Fleury (feel-good novel), Manon Karsenti (Brussels illustrator, author of Neuf), Noémie Adenis (historical thriller), Frédéric Ploussard (contemporary novel), Daniel Casanave (illustrator of Sapiens and L'homme qui plantait des arbres), Adrien Genoudet (Paris-Saïgon), Reza Sahibdad (screenwriter, Hazara Blues), Stéphanie Pérez (senior reporter at France Télévisions), Cécile Becq (children's illustrator, Vaillantes), Tom Sorroldoni, Camille Tisserand, Johan Heliot, Sandrine Kao, and an eighteenth author.
Meetings, workshops, and entertainment
The day revolved around meet-and-greet book signings with authors in the castle's main hall, creative workshops led by illustrators and children's authors (writing, illustration, comics, macramé), readings and discussions, and a children's area with a reading corner. Several additional activities enriched the event: guided tours of the castle, Graffomaton (literary portrait), deckchairs in the park, a read-aloud recording studio, an interactive exhibition on the dictionary, and an exhibition dedicated to Madame de Saint-Balmont. Thibaut Villemin coordinated this 4th edition.
A celebrated success
The report published by Connaissance de la Meuse highlights the success of this family-oriented edition, marked by sustained attendance and a warm atmosphere conducive to exchanges between authors and readers within the castle's heritage setting.
Programme Livres au Château 2026
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Fair open from 10 am to 6 pm — Free admission
Meet-and-greet book signings (main hall)
- 10:30 am — Franck Gérard, archaeologist
- 11:00 am — Frédéric Ploussard, novelist
- 11:30 am — Adeline Fleury, feel-good novel
- 12:00 pm — Laure Gasparotto, journalist and wine historian
- 2:00 pm — Reza Sahibdad, screenwriter (Hazara Blues)
- 2:30 pm — Stéphanie Pérez, senior reporter at France Télévisions
- 3:00 pm — Noémie Adenis, historical thriller
- 3:30 pm — Michel Bernard and Adrien Genoudet, novelists (Paris-Saïgon)
Creative workshops
- 11:00 am — Sandrine Kao, children's workshop
- 2:30 pm — Johan Heliot, writing workshop
- 3:30 pm — Manon Karsenti, illustration workshop
Azuro mascot strolls
- 10:30 am, 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm — appearances in the halls and park
Continuous throughout the day
- Guided tours of the castle
- Macramé workshop (bookmarks, paper flowers)
- Graffomaton — literary portrait
- Read-aloud recording studio
- Interactive exhibition on the dictionary
- Madame de Saint-Balmont exhibition
- Children's area with reading corner
- Deckchairs in the landscaped park
- Les Cantinières food truck (on-site catering)
Highlights Livres au Château 2026
- 18 authors from all over France (novels, comics, children's literature, history)
- Program heavily oriented towards family and youth
- Co-organization Connaissance de la Meuse + La Fabrique Bookstore (Verdun)
- Heritage setting: Meuse castle and 43-hectare landscaped park
- Azuro mascot and children's workshops
- Completely free admission
Prices Livres au Château 2026
Practical information — Livres au Château
Access and transport
By car: Thillombois is located about 25 km south of Verdun and 30 km northeast of Bar-le-Duc. From Verdun, take the D903 south then the D164 towards Thillombois (about 30 minutes). From Bar-le-Duc, take the D116 then the D164 (about 35 minutes). From Metz or Nancy, allow about 1 hour 15 minutes. Free parking on site, in the castle grounds.
By train: The nearest stations are Verdun (TER Grand Est from Metz, about 1 hour 15 minutes) and Bar-le-Duc (TER and TGV from Paris-Est, about 1 hour 15 minutes). Thillombois is then accessible by car. There are no public transport links to the village.
Practical information
Location: Château de Thillombois, 55260 Thillombois. The fair takes place in the castle rooms and park.
Opening hours: Sunday from 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM (one Sunday in May, usually the first Sunday).
Price: Admission is completely free.
Typical program
The fair offers meetings with authors, book signings, round tables, readings, a children's reading corner, a Graffomaton (literary portrait), a comic book exhibition, a voice recording studio, and creative workshops (macramé, paper flowers, writing). A literary bar and a relaxation area are set up in the castle.
Practical advice
The event takes place partly outdoors, in the castle grounds. Bring comfortable shoes and rain gear in case of uncertain weather. The fair is accessible to families with children thanks to the numerous public activities for young people.
Catering
A light catering area is usually available on site. Hot and cold drinks are available at the castle's literary bar.
Contact
Association Connaissance de la Meuse
Website: chateau-thillombois.com
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Where does it take place — Livres au Château
Château de Thillombois
Château de Thillombois, 55260 Thillombois, 55260 Thillombois