Angoulême is worth visiting year-round, but the annual Festival International de la Bande Dessinée in late January transforms the city into one of the most concentrated events in the cultural calendar. For a week, every hotel in the city and the surrounding towns fills with cartoonists, publishers, collectors, and fans; the streets are full of signings and talks, and a sense of genuine cultural excitement is palpable. Book accommodation months in advance.
Spring and early summer are the best times for comfortable weather and manageable crowds. Autumn is also good. The city has a lively student population (there is a university here) and is animated throughout the academic year.