Montolieu

Montolieu is a commune in the Aude department in southern France.Sometimes referred to as "Village of Books", Montolieu contains fifteen bookshops, mostly specializing in second-hand and antiquarian books. Many artists also live and work in Montolieu, with five workshops and galleries of painters and sculptors and three photographers' studios. It also contains a substantial cactus garden, the Cactuseraie d'Escaïre-Figue. In 1989, Michel Braibant, a bookbinder in Carcassonne, initiated the Village of the Book in Montolieu. He created the Association « Montolieu Village du Livre », and founded the Arts and Crafts Museum of the Book. -Starting in 1991, bookshops and craftpersons of the book such as bookbinders and calligraphers set up shop in Montolieu. -A museum is created, le "Musée des Arts et Métiers du Livre" -The Paper Mill in Brousse is restored and reactivated. -Periodical cultural events are organized, such as "The Spring of Books", "Lire en Fête" and "Cuvée spéciale" -Nearly fifty buildings were renovated, and about fifteen beds and breakfast progressively opened up. -In 1992, Montolieu reopened its primary school.Each year: -Montolieu welcomes over 52 000 visitors. -2,000 students from primary and high schools discover our workshops.Today, Montolieu offers the following: -Used and antiquarian bookshops -Working craftspeople of books and art. -The Arts and Crafts of the Book Museum. -Graphic and plastic art galleries and expositions. -Bibliophilia stocks. -Educational activities around the Book and its craft. -Many artists, sculptors, painters, photographers and musicians. -A heritage classified as historical monument. -An intermunicipal tourism office, from the Cabardes to the Canal du Midi.