18th Art Bookbinding international contest - 2026 edition

We extend our warmest thanks to all the participants who helped make this edition an exceptional celebration of creativity, sharing, and encounters.

Our heartfelt thanks go to all the bookbinders, artists, and creators for the outstanding quality of their work, their creativity, dedication, and passion, once again demonstrating the richness and vitality of this art form.

We would also like to thank everyone who contributed, directly or indirectly, to the success of this Biennale: organizers, partners, jury members, volunteers, institutions, and visitors.

Thank you all for your trust, support, and participation.

Highlights of the 18th edition:

  • September 23: Exhibition opening ceremony
  • September 24–27: Exhibition of the 234 competition entries
  • September 24: Lecture on “The Life of Colette” by Frédéric Maget, Director of the Maison de Colette
  • September 25: Bookbinders’ dinner at La Chouette cabaret
  • September 26: Awards ceremony
  • September 24–27: International Suppliers’ Fair

Opening Ceremony of the 18th World Biennial of Art Bookbinding

Mrs Michèle Douaze, President of the World Biennials of Art Bookbinding Association, and Mrs Micheline Mareschi, in charge of Public Relations and Communications, alongside Mr Dominique Bavoil, Mayor of Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, Mrs Agnès Bosdarros-Waringhem, First Deputy Mayor, and Mrs Dina Brunello and Mrs Dominique Jourden, Municipal Councillors, at the opening ceremony of the 18th World Biennial of Art Bookbinding on September 23, 2026.

A total of 19 awards were presented to winners from Spain, France, Italy, Argentina, Germany, Japan, China, and beyond. Congratulations to all!

234 Bookbindings on Display

All the bookbindings entered in the competition were exhibited to the public for four days at Espace Jean Racine in Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse (78), France.

Inspired by La Vagabonde, a novel by Colette

The novel La Vagabonde, published in 1910, tells the story of Renée Néré, an independent young woman who pursues a career as a music-hall performer and seeks to live life on her own terms, free from the conventions of her time.

Through her romantic relationships, doubts, and aspirations, Colette explores themes of female freedom, solitude, and the complexity of human relationships. Renée rejects the traditional roles imposed on women and asserts her independence, despite the sacrifices this entails.

Blending autobiographical inspiration with fiction, Colette creates a sensitive and elegant narrative, brought to life through her intimate writing style. La Vagabonde remains a significant literary work on women’s emancipation and the pursuit of freedom.

Lecture on the Life of Colette

Lecture by Frédéric Maget, Director of the Maison de Colette, on Thursday, September 24, 2026.

International Suppliers’ Fair

The Suppliers’ Fair took place alongside the exhibition. Nearly 20 suppliers from France, Belgium, and the United Kingdom offered a wide range of materials and tools for sale, including leather, parchment, marbled papers, paste papers, bookbinding tools, and more.

17th Art Bookbinding international contest - 2024 edition

Thanks to all the visitors,

from 19 to 22 of september 2024 :

a 4-day public exhibition

to celebrate Art Bookbinding

and French litterature

The public exhibition took place in Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse (78-France), at Espace Jean Racine. All bindings participating to the competion were shown to the public, i.e. around 280 bindings. We were glad to share :

  • Exhibition opening ceremony : September 18th
  • Conference “Vol de Nuit et l’Aéropostale” : September 19th
  • Bookbinders’ dinner : September 20th
  • Award ceremony : September 21st
  • Introduction to bookbinding for children with Dulce Maria, art bookbinder and candidate to 2024 competition.
  • Supplier fair : September 19th to 22nd

Exhibition opening ceremony in Saint-Rémy lès Chevreuse (78 - France)

Ms Michèle Douaze, President of the Biennales Mondiales de la Reliure d’Art Association, and Ms Micheline Mareschi, Head of Public Relations and Communications, alongside Mr Dominique Bavoil, Mayor of Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse, accompanied by Mr Jacques Caous and Ms Myriam Schwartz, municipal councillors, at the opening ceremony of the 17th edition of the World Biennial of Art Bookbinding on 18 September 2024.

18 prizes were awarded to winners from Estonia, Switzerland, France, Vietnam, China, South Korea, Germany, and other countries. Congratulations to all!

278 bindings presented to the public

On every Bienniale, all participating bindings are exposed. In 2024, 278 bindings were exposed from 19th to 22nd of September.

on the theme of Vol de nuit, a novel of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

In 2024 candidates were proposed to bind VOL DE NUIT by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

Conference Vol de Nuit et l'Aéropostale

Lecture by Laurent de GALEMBERT, agrégé professor and Doctor of Literature, Vice-President of the Association of Friends of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, on Thursday, 19 September 2024.

Bookbinding Suppliers' fair

The Suppliers’ Fair took place alongside the exhibition from 19 to 22 September 2024. Eighteen suppliers from France, Belgium and the United Kingdom offered a wide range of products for sale, including leather, parchment, marbled papers, paste papers, bookbinding tools, as well as books and subscriptions to the Art et Métiers du Livre magazine.