Tintin, Astérix, Lucky Luke, Gaston Lagaffe, Titeuf: comics are part of nearly every French speaker’s childhood. In France they are even called « le neuvième art », the ninth art. And since 1974, a town in the Charente region, Angoulême, has been their capital.
Here is the story of the festival, its major prizes, what happened recently, and why comics are a great way into French.
Key takeaways
- The Angoulême International Comics Festival was created in 1974.
- It usually takes place in late January over four days, attracting artists, publishers and readers from all over the world.
- Its best-known awards are the Grand Prix de la ville d’Angoulême and the Fauve d’or.
- The 2026 edition was cancelled after a crisis over how the festival is run.
Angoulême, capital of comics
The festival was founded in 1974 by local enthusiasts. It quickly grew into one of the world’s biggest comics festivals, with hundreds of artists signing books, exhibitions, talks and live drawing concerts. The whole town lives for comics: it is home to the Cité internationale de la bande dessinée et de l’image, a museum, a specialised art school and many painted murals.
The major prizes
| Prize | What it rewards |
|---|---|
| Grand Prix de la ville d’Angoulême | An artist’s entire body of work. It is the highest honour in French-language comics. |
| Fauve d’or | The best album of the year, chosen from an official selection. |
| Prix du public | Readers’ favourite album. |
| Fauve Polar, Fauve jeunesse… | Genre awards for crime comics, children’s comics or heritage titles. |
Good to know: the 2026 edition, planned for late January, was cancelled after months of crisis around the company running the festival, with a boycott by artists and publishers and the withdrawal of public funding. A return is being prepared for 2027: check the dates on the official website before planning your visit.
Comics vocabulary in French
| French | English |
|---|---|
| une bande dessinée, une BD | a comic, a graphic story (also spelled « une bédé ») |
| un album | a comic book, often hardback |
| une planche | a comic page |
| une case | a panel |
| une bulle, un phylactère | a speech bubble |
| le scénariste, le dessinateur, le coloriste | the writer, the artist, the colourist |
Learning French with comics
- The pictures help you understand. Even if you miss a word, the drawing gives you the context.
- Living French. The dialogue is close to spoken French, with informal expressions and sound effects.
- For every level. Start with children’s albums or classics like Astérix, then move on to graphic novels.
- Shared culture. Talking about comics with French speakers often means talking about childhood, and starts real conversations.
Going further
For more culture, read our articles on Molière and Édith Piaf. To talk about comics, films or books with a native teacher, try our French conversation course or the Live French Club.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Angoulême comics festival?
Usually in late January, over four days. The 2026 edition was cancelled; a return is being prepared for 2027. Check the dates on the official website.
How long has the Angoulême festival existed?
Since 1974. It is one of the biggest comics festivals in the world.
What is the Fauve d’or?
It is the award for the best album of the year at the Angoulême festival, chosen from an official selection.
Are comics useful for learning French?
Yes. The pictures give you context, the dialogue is close to spoken French, and there are albums for every level, from children’s classics to graphic novels.
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