Album Overview
*L’Atelier Grand-Feuille* is the first volume of *Contes de Bellécorce*, a new series of picture books that expands upon the world of *Mémoires de la Forêt*. Even more fantastical than *Mémoires de la Forêt*, these tales are the founding stories of the Bellécorciens: stories passed down from generation to generation, told to children before bedtime, that use the magical to explore themes of transmission, resilience, and emotions.
In this first story, Walter, a young orphaned fawn raised by his grandfather Harold, grows up in the heart of the Grand-Feuille Workshop, where their family has been crafting wonderful wooden toys for generations. But when his grandfather’s health begins to decline, Walter must take over the workshop sooner than expected and complete their latest order on his own: a large carousel.
How can we find our place within such an imposing legacy? How can we learn from those who came before us without simply repeating what they did?
Written by Mickaël Brun-Arnaud, author of the best-selling series *Mémoires de la Forêt*, and illustrated by Benjamin Lacombe, a leading figure in contemporary illustration, *L’Atelier Grand-Feuille* brings their two worlds together for the first time in a picture book for readers of all ages.
The Illustrated Concerts of L’Atelier Grand-Feuille
Designed for audiences of all ages, L’Atelier Grand-Feuille’s illustrated concerts invite the audience to discover the picture book in an entirely new way, at the intersection of literature, illustration, and music.
On stage, the story is told in its entirety while Benjamin Lacombe brings new drawings to life live as they are projected onto a large screen. At his side, harpist, singer, and composer Cécile Corbel—best known for composing the score for Studio Ghibli’s film *Arrietty: The Little World of Thieves* —accompanies the narrative with wonderful songs from her repertoire.
For this show, Cécile Corbel also composed two original pieces specifically inspired by the worldof L’Atelier Grand-Feuille, which punctuate Walter and Harold’s journey.
Ages 6 and up.
The Exhibition
The Grand-Feuille Studio
From October 7 to November 15, 2026, the world of *L’Atelier Grand-Feuille* will leap off the pages of the book and come to life at the Château de la Bourdaisière in Montlouis-sur-Loire, near Tours.
Conceived as a true immersion into Harold and Walter’s studio, the exhibition brings together Benjamin Lacombe’s large-scale originals painted in gouache and oil, sketches revealed for the first time, as well as sets, wooden sculptures, and toys inspired by the book. It’s an invitation to discover the details and secrets of its creation, from the first strokes to the finished images, before watching them come to life and step off the page.
The exhibition will also be part of the Forest and Wood Festival on October 17 and 18, featuring Benjamin Lacombe and Mickaël Brun-Arnaud, with book signings and special illustrated concerts featuring Cécile Corbel.
An experience designed for young and old alike, so that visitors don’t just walk through L’Atelier Grand-Feuille but, for the duration of their visit, truly step inside it.