2026: year of the bicentennial

200 years of history. Since 1826, our story has been intertwined with the emergence of new ideas. It all began with Louis Hachette’s founding vision: to make books a catalyst for empowerment and knowledge the foundation of progress. Growing from a modest Paris bookshop to a group with global reach, we have transformed one man’s ambition into a cultural odyssey backed by an international distribution network extending from France to the United States, from the United Kingdom to Spain, from Europe to new horizons in Latin America and Africa.

Our core values: excellence, freedom and creativity

Three pillars underpin our organization and guide our path toward the future: excellence, freedom and creativity. Excellence is our compass, the intellectual rigor and editorial eye needed to ensure each work is clear-sighted, insightful and memorable. Freedom is our animating spirit—we defend the diversity of thought, the independence of our publishers and, above all, our authors’ freedom to express their unique perspective. Creativity is our driving force, what leads us to explore new ways of expanding our imagination together with our authors.

Our mission: open up the world, stimulate minds

More than merely a pastime, reading is a foundational activity that brings us closer to the world around us and to ourselves. Reading is our rampart against the all-consuming immediacy of screens. Instilling a love of words in children gives them the tools they need to become free-minded, critical thinkers.

Today, our mission spans the entire spectrum of creative production, from textbooks to novels, games and digital resources. We don’t just release books—we build bridges to knowledge and enjoyment.

Innovation in publishing, which can take many forms, attracts new audiences and rekindles the connection between readers and writing. At Hachette, innovation means anticipating the future of cultural practices and transforming how we write, distribute, play, learn, and interact. We aim to foster the emergence of new ways to read and share knowledge in print and in the digital world.

A commitment to the future

Hachette is a constellation of thousands of talented individuals united by shared values. Today, being a publisher means taking responsibility for our environmental footprint and working toward a sustainable world. Hachette is committed to reducing its ecological impact, redesigning its production and distribution models, and promoting sustainable practices at every step of the creative and publishing process.

This bicentennial is not an endpoint, but a springboard. True to the pioneering spirit of our founder, we are turning a new page toward a bold future open wide onto the world. Hachette strives to remain an outstretched hand offering the joy of creativity, the love of reading, and the power of thought.

A look back at a 200-year journey in publishing

The Hachette archives: a record of 200 years in publishing

A treasure trove of history, officially recognized for its historical significance by the French culture ministry since 2002. This rare designation reflects the historical, scientific, and legal import of a collection chronicling the story of Hachette Livre since 1826, as well as all the noteworthy documents produced over the course of two centuries in the industry.

Paper archives account for the majority of the collection: administrative files, historical documents, and correspondence from notable authors published by Hachette, including the Countess of Ségur, Jules Verne, Victor Hugo, and Charles Dickens. There is also a reference library, now known as the “publishing archives,” which contains all works published since 1826—a veritable in-house “legal deposit” created with the foresight to see the value in documenting and conserving Hachette publications.

The Group also maintains vast archives of visual materials—original drawings, prints, mock-ups, photos, glass plates and Ektachromes—illustrated by renowned artists such as Léon Benett, George Roux, Gustave Doré, André Pécoud and Alain Saint‑Ogan.

Nearly three linear kilometers of these collections are stored at IMEC, the French institute for contemporary publishing archives in Caen. Additional materials are kept in Vanves, home to the publishing archives and photo library, which are managed by the Technical Department. In all, more than 730,000 images form an exceptionally rich, expansive repository that provides both inspiration and visuals for future publications.

Shelves of the Hachette Livre publishing archives at IMEC

Key dates

Our heritage