Déballage du Livre et du Patrimoine de Fontenoy-la-Joûte

The Book and Heritage Sale: Season Finale at the Book Village

Every year in September, the Fontenoy-la-Joûte Book Village closes its season with the Déballage du Livre et du Patrimoine, an autumn event that coincides with the European Heritage Days. This event, in its 18th edition in 2026, offers bibliophiles one last chance to hunt for treasures before winter.

A Book Village with Unique Cultural Heritage

Fontenoy-la-Joûte is one of the eight Book Villages in France, a concept born in 1961 in Wales. Since 1996, this small village in Meurthe-et-Moselle, located in the Mortagne valley between Lunéville and Baccarat, has transformed its houses into second-hand bookshops. The association des Amis du Livre, which manages this unique cultural heritage in Lorraine, organizes five major annual events to liven up the village and attract visitors.

An Autumn Book Market

The Autumn Sale brings together the village's eleven permanent shops and about ten professional exhibitors who set up their stalls in the picturesque streets of Fontenoy-la-Joûte. Booksellers offer thousands of second-hand books of all genres: classic and contemporary literature, history, science, art, regional books, comics, and old books. Sunday features signing sessions with regional authors who come to meet their readers in this exceptional setting.

2026 Edition: Lorraine Heritage and Regional Authors

The 18th edition takes place on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September 2026, in synergy with the 42nd European Heritage Days. Six Lorraine authors will be present for signing sessions on Sunday. Visitors can enjoy the eleven shops open from 9 am to 6 pm and fast food on site. Entry and parking are free. This last major event of the season is the ideal opportunity to stock up on reading material for autumn and winter, while discovering the architectural and cultural heritage of this unique village.