Bécherel, Book town and commune in Ille-et-Vilaine, France.
This small commune sits at 148 meters elevation on a granite plateau, featuring well-preserved medieval architecture with stone houses dating from the 16th to 18th centuries.
Founded in medieval times as part of the pagus Orcheus, Bécherel became a strategic fortress when Alain de Dinan built a castle here in 1124, later enduring multiple sieges during Anglo-Breton conflicts.
The town transformed into France's first official book town in 1989, hosting over 15 bookshops and antiquarian dealers, along with an annual Easter book festival that attracts thousands of literary enthusiasts.
Visitors can explore the pedestrian-friendly historic center, browse numerous bookstores along cobblestone streets, and access the town easily by car from Rennes, located 30 kilometers southeast.
Bécherel holds the distinction of being France's premier book town, where former textile workers' houses now serve as bookshops specializing in rare and second-hand volumes from across Europe.
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