Noir en Perche
Festival of crime fiction at Moulin Blanchard in Perche
About Noir en Perche
Noir en Perche is a festival dedicated to crime fiction and thrillers, organized every autumn at Moulin Blanchard in Nocé, in the commune of Perche-en-Nocé (Orne). Created in 2024 by the association Moulin Blanchard, this literary event brings together crime fiction authors, passionate readers, and the curious for meetings, round tables, readings aloud, and signing sessions. Free and open to all, the festival also offers a Youth Prize in partnership with the territory's media libraries and a short story competition for middle schoolers.
Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Noir en Perche at the best price.
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Noir en Perche: Crime Fiction Comes to Moulin Blanchard
Born in 2024, Noir en Perche is a crime fiction festival organized by the Moulin Blanchard association in the enchanting setting of an old water mill nestled in the heart of the Orne Perche region. This contemporary art venue, already recognized for its exhibitions and artist residencies, hosts lovers of crime fiction, thrillers, and noir novels every autumn for a weekend of exchanges and literary discoveries.
A Rich Program of Meetings
The festival offers a dense program combining meetings with authors, themed round tables, readings aloud, and signing sessions. A pop-up bookstore allows visitors to leave with the works of the invited authors. The friendly atmosphere of Moulin Blanchard, with its historic buildings and gardens, provides an ideal setting for these privileged exchanges between writers and readers.
The Youth Prize and the Short Story Competition
From its second edition, Noir en Perche has been enhanced by a Youth Prize, awarded in partnership with the territory's media libraries, as well as a crime fiction short story competition for teenagers from local middle schools. These initiatives demonstrate the festival's commitment to raising awareness among younger generations about literature and actively involving them in the event.
A Festival Rooted in Perche
Noir en Perche is part of the cultural dynamic driven by the Moulin Blanchard association, which organizes a year-round program of exhibitions, concerts, artist residencies, and festivals. The bucolic setting of Perche, with its hills, manors, and forests, provides a perfect backdrop for a festival dedicated to the plots and mysteries of noir fiction.
Practical Information
Admission to the festival is free. Moulin Blanchard is located in Nocé, in the commune of Perche-en-Nocé, easily accessible from Nogent-le-Rotrou and Bellême. Light refreshments are available on site during the festival.
Noir en Perche — edition 2026
Third edition of Noir en Perche at Moulin Blanchard. The crime fiction festival continues its growth with author meetings, round tables, readings, and the Youth Prize.
Prices Noir en Perche 2026
Practical information — Noir en Perche
Access to the Festival
By car: Moulin Blanchard is located in Nocé, commune of Perche-en-Nocé (61340), in the Orne department of Normandy. From Nogent-le-Rotrou, follow the D9 towards Bellême then the D11 towards Nocé (approx. 20 minutes). From Bellême, take the D955 then the D11 (approx. 15 minutes). From Alençon, take the D955 towards Bellême then Nocé (approx. 45 minutes). Free parking is available on site, in the immediate vicinity of Moulin Blanchard.
By train: The nearest station is Nogent-le-Rotrou, served by TER Centre-Val de Loire trains from Paris-Montparnasse (approx. 1h40 journey). From the station, you will need a vehicle to reach Nocé (20 km). Taxis are available at the station. Carpooling is also possible by contacting the organizers.
Opening Hours
The festival takes place over a full weekend: Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. Meetings with authors and round tables are scheduled throughout the day. Signing sessions take place continuously. The detailed program will be available on the Moulin Blanchard website a few weeks before the event.
Prices and Ticketing
Admission to the festival is completely free and open to all. No booking is required to attend the meetings, round tables, and signings. The pop-up bookstore offers the works of the invited authors for sale.
Catering and Services
Light catering is available on site during the festival: sandwiches, crepes, hot and cold drinks. Visitors can also picnic in the gardens of Moulin Blanchard. Several restaurants and bakeries are also available in the village of Nocé, a few minutes' walk away.
Accommodation Nearby
For visitors wishing to stay in the region, several accommodation options are available: rural gites, bed and breakfasts, and hotels in the neighboring communes of Bellême (15 km), Nogent-le-Rotrou (20 km), and in the Perche Regional Natural Park. The Perche tourist office can provide a complete list of accommodations.
Contact
Association Moulin Blanchard – Nocé, 61340 Perche-en-Nocé
Website: www.moulinblanchard.com
Email: [email protected]
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Travel to this festival
Book your train or bus to reach Noir en Perche at the best price.
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Where does it take place — Noir en Perche
Moulin Blanchard
Moulin Blanchard, Nocé, 61340 Perche-en-Nocé