Cité de l'Écrit in Montmorillon

A cultural immersion in writing and the book trade

Crossing the old 14th-century Gothic bridge over the Gartempe, you enter the medieval quarter of Brouard and La Cité de l'Ecrit, a timeless site for book lovers, art enthusiasts, collectors of rare books and families looking for an original getaway. All you have to do is push open the door of one of the bookshops or second-hand booksellers to plunge into a world of its own. There's something for everyone, from collectors to avid readers, from fans of thrillers and science fiction to simple strollers who stumble across a book that interests them. Calligraphy, illumination, painting: whether through temporary courses, permanent workshops, or simply as visitors, you'll discover passionate artists and craftspeople along the streets of the Cité. Don't miss the many original works of art for gifts you won't find anywhere else. All year round, introductory and advanced courses are available for groups and individuals, adults and schoolchildren.

A new site, the only one of its kind in France (open free of charge from Wednesday to Sunday afternoons): l'aventure de la machine à écrire et à calculer (the adventure of the typewriter and calculator), where you can admire over 200 models of machine, some of them unusual and others over a hundred years old, the ancestors of today's modern computers. Finally, there are a number of charming cafés and restaurants right in the heart of the Cité, where you can enjoy a meal or simply a drink. As soon as you arrive, go to La Préface, the Cité's welcome point (and also the venue for free exhibitions on the written word): you'll be given a free tour map.

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