France Guide
Poitou-Charentes and the Atlantic coast
Cité Internationale de la Bande Dessinée
Website: www.cnbdi.fr
In one area at least, Angoulême is a world leader: comic books. Every year in the last weekend of January the city hosts the massively popular Festival de la Bande Dessinée, when thousands come to see the latest developments in what is most certainly regarded as a serious art form. "BDs", as they are known, are also permanently represented by the Cité Internationale de la Bande Dessinée, which owns a vast collection of original drawings, tracing the development of the comic over 150 years. Astérix, Peanuts, Tintin and many other characters and artists are represented, and there's also a vast library, much of it in English, where you're welcome to relax on cushions and have a read. At the time of writing, the collection was due to move into attractive new buildings on the banks of the Charente on rue de Bordeaux, so check at the tourist office for new opening times and prices.