Explore the City of Writing and Book Trades

A long story turned to the book

Cradled by the waters of the Gartempe, explore Montmorillon and his past. At the time, in the Age of Enlightenment, the banks of the river were occupied by many paper mills, missing today. Later, the city was then renamed for his Rossignol posters that you surely know, but that those under 20 have probably not known. Rossignol posters well known to teachers and students of the 50s and 60s, in particular with the wall maps and the educational booklets that were found in the classrooms.

In 1990, the writer and child of the country Regine Deforges create the first Book Fair with the aim of encouraging encounters between authors and the inhabitants of the city. The writer quickly enabled the town of Montmorillon to forge a regional reputation around books.

Since 2000, the City of Writing and Book Professions lives thanks to its 25 professionals, booksellers, booksellers and craftsmen, all passionate about transmitting and preserving the history of writing.

Stroll through the alleys of Montmorillon

Passing through Montmorillon, forced to stop in one of the 20 shops (bookstores and workshops) in the city.

From the trapdoor to the books

In a warm and relaxed atmosphere, Francis and Véronique welcome you to enjoy a good beer (the choice is yours) while taking advantage of the books, board games, billiards, pinball machine made available to you to have a great time.

The potter's workshop

Fall for one of the unique pieces made by Delphine! Installed in her workshop, Delphine comes from a family of ceramists and offers you pieces or culinary objects entirely made by her.

The bookstore “Les Chants de Maldoror”

Find more than 6000 references, for adults and children alike. This store, known and recognized by readers and collectors, offers thousands of works of science fiction, fantasy, marvelous, utopia and comics.

Find the 20 shops of the Cité de l'Ecrit et Métiers du livre !

The unmissable Cité de l'Ecrit, discover the Museum of the Typewriter and Calculator

After strolling the streets of the city to stroll through the many boutiques and bookstores, it is time to visit the Typewriter and Calculating Machine Museum. During your visit, immerse yourself in the history of typewriters, their inventors, and their users for centuries. 

Continue your visit to the heart of the history of calculating instruments: abacus, Neper rods, Pascaline, arithmometers, arithmographs, slide rules.

And for a sweet break

Continue your visit to the Cité de l'Ecrit and book trades, savoring the famous and marvelous Montmorillon macaroons to the Rannou-Métivier House.