A MEDIEVAL AREA ENTIRELY RESTORED AND FREE
OF ACCESS
A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN BUY AND SELL OLD
AND SECOND-HAND BOOKS
BOOKSHOPS, CRAFTWORK BOUTIQUES, ARTISTS' STUDIOS
ORIGINAL IDEAS OR PRESENT
MANY CAFES AND RESTAURANTS
A touristic development
Thanks to the Parc du Futuroscope, the Vienne
welcomes millions of visitors every year. Tourism is the key to its
economical development. It was in this context that the Cité
de l'Ecrit et des Métiers du Livre of Montmorillon was conceived
and created.
An outstanding
architectural heritage The
booktown is situated in the heart of the medieval area which was deserted
and in ruins before the start of the project (in June 2000). Most buildings
were then bought and restored and, by the town council, with the financial
help of the Départment (country council), the regional council
and the European Union. Since then, they have been let out to craftsmen,
booksellers and artists.
An
longstanding relationship with books
As soon as in the 18th century, paper mills were
operating along the river Gartempe. Since then, the link between this
area and writing has always existed : the world-famous writer Régine
Deforges (La Bicyclette Bleue) was born here, and a important event
takes place every two years (even years) : the Salon du Livre (book
festival). The booktown is a logical new chapter to this story.
More
than a Booktown...
Montmorillon was not at the origin of the concept
of "booktown", which consists in gathering as many bookshops
as possible in the historic part of a small town. Hay-on-Wye (Wales)
was the very first one when it started in the 60s. Then came Redu in
Belgium, Becherel in Brittany, and a couple of others...
But Montmorillon remains unique in France : you do not only find booksellers
here, but also experts in ancient books and above all, craftsmen and
artists which specialize in disciplines related to books and writing
: calligraphs, illustrators, bookbinders...
SHOPS
BOUTIQUES AND WORKSHOPS
GRAPHIC
& DECORATIVE ARTS
1. Le bon Numéro
Modern and ancient reviews and magazines, photo-cinema, glamour,
jazz, curiosities.
2. Droit au Chapitre
Modern and ancient books, research service for out-of-print books,
politically commited literature and various themes.
3. Au cri de la Chouette
Ancient books.
4. Bouquins 67
19th and 20th century literature, fine arts, history, old collector's
children's books, theatre, cinema, nature, reference books, iconography.
5. De la Trappe aux Livres
Bar with Belgian Beers, bookshop, paperbacks.
6. Le Festin de Babette
Modern and ancient books, literature, novel, science-fiction,
Secondhand trade.
7. Le Festin de Babette
Modern and ancient books, various themes, Speciality : cooking,
history, art, nature.
8. Gérard Poucel
Bouquiniste Brocanteur.
9. Les Propylées
Architecture, fine arts, sciences, techniques, literature, travel
stories, history, old collector's children's books, various themes.
10. Captain D. Bulle
Second-hand comic books (ancient and recent), comic books collectors,
American "comics", mangas, second-hand CDs, Vinyls and
DVDs.
11. Livres à vous !
Old collector's children's books, scouting books, school books
from the 60s, DIY, artists biographies, painting, fine arts.
12. L'ARTelier de la Gartempe
Painter's studio, watercolour, ceramics, postcards, illustrations,
calligraphy.
13. Utopiarts
Chinese calligraphy.
14. L'Ecritoire et la Maison du
Papier
Arabic and Latin calligraphy.
15. Les Trésors de Rackham
Sculptor of collector's figurines, collection BD, lute-making.
