Hachette: a global publishing giant
A rich history and a strong heritage
Founded in 1826 by Louis Hachette, the publishing house has become a key player in the book world over time. From the very beginning, it distinguished itself by creating station libraries , making reading accessible to all. Its expansion accelerated with the takeover of multiple publishing houses and the establishment of a collective of influential authors.
Pierre Leroy, now head of the Hachette Livre group, continues this legacy by modernizing publishing while respecting traditions. The publisher plays a key role in the distribution of fine books, school books, and thematic books, allowing readers to discover a wide selection of works suitable for all ages.
Hachette today: an international group
The Hachette Livre group, a subsidiary of the Lagardère group, is today the leading publisher in France and a global leader. It brings together many prestigious brands, such as Librairie Générale Française, which specializes in the distribution of great classics . Its official website, hachettefr, offers a varied catalog including new releases, children's books, educational guides, and downloadable resources.
At the same time, Hachette is establishing itself in the digital world with digital manuals and interactive solutions for game publishing. The group is also present in tourism, publishing books under the Hachette Tourisme brand.
A diverse catalog: between literature, education and leisure
General offer: from literature to practical books
Hachette offers a selection of books for all tastes: novels, essays, wines, wellness, and arts and crafts. The publishing house also stands out for its bestsellers, which include coffee-table books and bestselling works translated into several languages.
It partners with renowned authors to publish works suitable for a general audience, with a wide selection of thematic books and works in French and foreign languages. Each year, Hachette announces numerous new releases, available for sale at points of sale and for online ordering.
Education at the heart of Hachette's DNA
With its educational publishing division, Hachette plays a major role in the design of textbooks and digital manuals. The company offers teachers downloadable resources, teaching guides, and tools to support student learning.
The youth collection is particularly rich, with series adapted to young readers . Hachette also makes a point of promoting reading, notably through the Hachette Foundation, which supports initiatives to make culture accessible to as many people as possible.
The flagship collections and licenses
In addition to literature and education, Hachette invests heavily in specialty collections and merchandise. Hachette Collections offers a wide selection of partwork, figurines, and miniatures, while Hachette Heroes focuses on the worlds of pop culture.
The group has also developed a games publishing division , with a strong presence in board games and interactive books. Thanks to the diversity of its offerings, Hachette has established itself as a key player in contemporary publishing.
A vision for the future: Hachette and the new challenges of publishing
Towards a greener world?
The Hachette Group is implementing several initiatives to reduce its environmental impact. The transition to more environmentally friendly printing and the use of recycled paper are key initiatives. However, digital publishing raises other questions: while it helps limit paper consumption, its energy impact remains high.
Hachette is therefore exploring a hybrid model that combines paper and digital, in order to offer a more sustainable and responsible solution. This approach is part of a broader approach to ecological transformation in the sector.
Hachette and self-publishing: a future hybrid model?
With the rise of self-publishing platforms, Hachette is exploring new ways to support independent authors. The goal is to offer them professional tools to improve the quality of their works, while maintaining their freedom of publication.
This transition is based on a more flexible model, where writers can choose between traditional publishing and self-publishing guided by Hachette. This new positioning could redefine the future of the book market, opening up new opportunities for authors and diversifying the available literary offerings.
Thus, Hachette pour la lecture continues to play a central role in culture and education, while adapting to market changes. Present in many sectors, from literature to tourism, from games to specialized publishing, Hachette remains an essential reference in the world of books.