Carcassonne Book Fair: a literary event not to be missed
The Carcassonne region is renowned not only for its exceptional architectural heritage, but also for its rich literary tradition. Between the book fairs organised in the medieval city and the cultural events in Montolieu, the leading book village in the south of France, lovers of literature will find here an exceptional territory in which to celebrate their passion.
The Carcassonne Book Fair, a meeting place for independent publishers
The Carcassonne Book Fair is a major event in the cultural life of the Aude region. Organised by Liber Mirabilis, the fair showcases independent publishers from the Occitanie region in a prestigious historic setting. The event traditionally takes place in the former stables of the Carcassonne Regiment, now the gymnasium of the 3rd RPIMA, Place d’Armes, near the Jacobins gate.
This emblematic venue with 1,500 square metres of exhibition space offers a unique setting for visitors, surrounded by overhead and underground car parks for easy access. The Carcassonne Book Fair is an essential showcase for regional book professionals, enabling the general public to discover lesser-known publishing houses that are rich in talent.
Participants will be able to display their books on fully equipped collective stands, with the possibility of organising signing sessions. This literary event is also a great opportunity to visit Carcassonne and discover its exceptional heritage.
See also the Carcassonne guide:
Montolieu, the book village that enhances Carcassonne’s literary offering
Just 20 kilometres from Carcassonne, Montolieu stands out as the only book village in the south of France. Every year, this small village in the Cabardès transforms the region’s literary landscape with its fifteen permanent bookshops and its exceptional events.
The famous Montolieu antiquarian and second-hand book fair takes place every year over the Easter weekend (19-21 April 2025 for the next edition). Organised by the Montolieu Village du Livre et des Arts association, the event attracts dozens of specialist booksellers from all over the south of France. The Foyer Jean-Guéhenno is the venue for this event, which celebrates its 30th edition in 2025.
Download the audio-guided tour to discover Carcassonne on foot and on your own
Taking part in the region’s literary events is the perfect opportunity to explore the magnificent medieval city. Navaway offers a complete audio tour of Carcassonne, allowing you to discover its architectural treasures on your own. The 5.7km route, with 27 audio commentaries, guides you through 2,500 years of history, from the lower town to the famous Cité.
Montolieu’s permanent bookshops
Montolieu is home to around fifteen permanent bookshops, which are a feature of the village throughout the year. These include Librairie Alcyon, Librairie l’Aubaine, Librairie Maison-Livre, Librairie Mamézon and Librairie Au Temps Jadis. Each has its own speciality: literature, comics, humanities, history, regionalism, science, esotericism, fine art, travel and botany.
These bookshops are veritable Ali Baba’s caves for bibliophiles, offering old and modern books, first editions, bibliophile works, art bindings and illustrated books. Librairie Abélard (1 Place des Anciennes Écoles, 11170 Montolieu, rated 4.7/5 on Google for 27 reviews) specialises in fine old and modern books, manuscripts and engravings.
The engraving and artist’s book fair
Montolieu also organises its annual engraving and artist’s book fair, usually in May. This event showcases the graphic arts and contemporary art publishing, perfectly complementing the village’s traditional literary offering. The vernissage, traditionally held on the Friday evening, kicks off three days of artistic discoveries in the Jean-Guéhenno foyer.
Other literary events in the region
The literary dynamic around Carcassonne is not limited to events in Montolieu. The commune of Arzens organises its annual regional book and literature fair, scheduled for 15 June 2025. This 13th edition will bring together more than 40 authors and publishers from the Occitanie region from 10am to 5pm at Place de l’Europe in Arzens.
The association Les Plumes Indépendantes d’Occitanie regularly organises fairs dedicated to self-published authors, offering a showcase for the region’s emerging talent. These events, often accompanied by 30 authors signing their books, provide an opportunity for privileged exchanges between writers and readers.
For visitors passing through, these literary events are an excellent opportunity to discover the cultural wealth of the Carcassonne region. The Navaway itinerary will help you make the most of your stay by combining literary pleasures with heritage discovery.
Practical tips for visiting book fairs
To make the most of your visit to the region’s book fairs, a few tips are in order. In Montolieu, as parking spaces are limited in the village, a free shuttle bus serves the three outlying car parks from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 6pm. The walk from these car parks takes just 8 minutes and allows you to appreciate the charm of the village’s narrow streets.
The Montolieu Antiquarian and Second-Hand Book Fair usually takes place over three days, giving visitors plenty of time to wander around the stands. Admission is free, allowing everyone to discover the treasures on offer from specialist booksellers.
Combining literature and heritage discovery
A visit to the book fairs in Carcassonne and Montolieu is a perfect way to discover the wider region. The proximity of these events to the medieval city makes it possible to combine literary passion with architectural wonder. Navaway’s tour of Carcassonne will take you from the city walls to the covered market in the lower town, via the Pont-Vieux and Saint-Michel cathedral.
Montolieu also offers a number of other cultural attractions: the Musée des Arts et Métiers du Livre (Museum of Book Arts and Crafts) puts on a themed book exhibition every year, while numerous artists and craftspeople open their workshops to visitors. This diversity makes the village a real cultural treasure trove, where it’s a pleasure to stroll around after browsing through the books in the bookshops.
The village’s restaurants offer a welcome gastronomic break, allowing visitors to sample local specialities and Cabardès wines. This combination of literary discovery, heritage and gastronomy makes the Carcassonne region a destination of choice for culture lovers.
In conclusion, the Carcassonne and Montolieu book fairs are not to be missed by anyone with a passion for literature. These events, anchored in an exceptional region, offer much more than just a chance to discover books: they invite you to immerse yourself in the culture of one of France’s richest regions. Let theNavaway itinerary be your guide as you explore this unique literary and architectural heritage.
Frequently asked questions
When are the book fairs in Carcassonne?
The Montolieu Antiquarian and Second-Hand Book Fair takes place every year over the Easter weekend (19-21 April 2025). Other literary events are organised throughout the year in the region, including the Salon d’Arzens on 15 June 2025.
Where do the literary events take place?
The main show takes place at the foyer Jean-Guéhenno in Montolieu. In Carcassonne itself, events take place in the former stables of the Regiment, Place d’Armes, near the Jacobins gate.
How many bookshops are there in Montolieu?
Montolieu, the only book village in the south of France, boasts around fifteen permanent bookshops specialising in literature, history, the humanities, the fine arts, travel and much more.
Do I have to pay to enter a book fair?
Admission to the Montolieu Antiquarian and Second-Hand Book Fair is free. There is also a free shuttle bus service to the outlying car parks for easy access to the village.
200 audioguided tours for cities all around the world
Download
