Groupe Bayard

What Groupe Bayard does

Groupe Bayard is a French multi-format media group founded in 1873 as a Catholic publisher and headquartered in Malakoff, France. The Group creates and distributes content across press, book publishing, audio, audiovisual, digital applications, and events, serving three primary audience clusters across the human life cycle: children and youth (ages 0-18) through brands such as Bayard Jeunesse, Milan Presse, BD Kids and the Bayam app; adults 45+ and seniors through Notre Temps and the broader silver-economy portfolio; and Catholic/religious communities through La Croix (daily since 1883), Le Pèlerin, Prions en Église and religious book imprints. It operates 120 press titles (70 in France), a catalogue of ~5,500 books with 800+ new titles annually, 200+ websites, ~100 apps and 50 blogs, reaching a claimed 36 million readers worldwide with 5 million subscribers. The workforce comprises ~1,400 employees in France and 550 internationally, plus nearly 700 freelance journalists and 5,000+ authors.

The business model is diversified across recurring subscription and newsstand press revenue, one-time book sales, advertising via the Bayard Média Développement subsidiary, audio/podcast revenue, audiovisual production and character-IP licensing (Bayard Animation: Petit Ours Brun, SamSam, Tom-Tom et Nana, Zouk), international rights and co-publishing (editions in ~50 countries and 50+ languages via partners including Chronicle Books, Planeta, Panini, Shogakukan and the Bayard Bridge China JV), and event/travel services. Go-to-market blends direct field sales across France, e-commerce storefronts, digital-first acquisition (newsletters, podcasts with 20M+ cumulative listens), subscription enrollment, and B2B media consulting for advertisers targeting children, parents and the 45+ demographic. Pricing is not publicly disclosed.

Ownership is distinctive: the Congrégation des Augustins de l'Assomption holds 93.7% of share capital, and the company operates as a Société Anonyme with a Directoire (led by President François Morinière and Managing Director Dominique Greiner) and a Conseil de Surveillance chaired by Hubert Chicou. Share capital is stated at €16,500,000. The Group is privately held and not publicly disclosing consolidated revenue in the available source material.

Name

Groupe Bayard

Legal name

Bayard

Website

https://groupebayard.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1873

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Groupe Bayard is a French Catholic-founded multi-format media group producing press, books, audio, audiovisual, digital apps and events for children, seniors and religious communities, reaching a claimed 36 million readers and 5 million subscribers across ~50 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Publishing

NAICS

Book Publishers (513130), Periodical Publishers (51312), Newspaper Publishers (51311), Book Publishers (51313)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Newspapers: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2711)

akta.pro primary industry

Children’s Subscription & Book Club Publishing (MPAJAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Children’s Licensed & Media Tie-In Publishing (MPAJAFAK), Genre & Category Publishing (Romance, Mystery/Thriller, Sci‑Fi/Fantasy, etc.) (MPAJAAAB), Audiobook Self-Publishing & Production Services (Narration, Studio, ACX-style) (MPAJAJAJ), Religious Children’s Publishing (Faith-Based Kids & YA) (MPAJAHAJ)

Keywords

• Magazine publishing
• Children's book publishing
• Audiovisual production
• Digital media platforms
• Advertising services

Headquarters

HQ city

Montrouge

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Press Subscriptions and Newsstand Sales: Bayard generates recurring revenue through print and digital magazine subscriptions (5 million subscribers globally) and newsstand sales across its 120 press titles (70 in France). Revenue includes La Croix daily and weekly, Le Pèlerin, Prions en Église, Notre Temps, Bayard Jeunesse, and Milan Presse titles.
2. Book Publishing: Revenue from publishing over 800 new books annually across Bayard Éditions, Bayard Éditions Jeunesse, Éditions Milan, Éditions Tourbillon, and Éditions CRER-Bayard, with a catalogue of 5,500 books. Includes children's books, comics (BD KIDS, Bande d'ados), graphic novels, religious texts, and general non-fiction.
3. Advertising and Media Services: Bayard Média Développement, the Group's advertising subsidiary for over 10 years, commercializes advertising inventory across Bayard's digital and print properties. Includes programmatic advertising, targeted campaigns, data-addressed communication, and B2B media consulting services for brands targeting children, parents, and the 45+ demographic.
4. Audio and Podcast Revenue: Bayard Audio generates revenue through audio book publishing (over 400 references) and podcast content across youth and religious platforms, including original productions such as La grande histoire de Pomme d'Api and Curieux de sciences.
5. Audiovisual Production and Licensing: Bayard Animation produces audiovisual series (Petit Ours Brun, SamSam, Tom-Tom et Nana, Zouk) for TV and SVOD platforms globally. Revenue from licensing iconic character IPs for audiovisual adaptation, co-productions, and international distribution.
6. Events and Travel Services: Revenue from organizing and selling tickets to events (Terre Sauvage Festival, Via Aeterna Mont-Saint-Michel festival, Grand prix Pèlerin du patrimoine) and travel packages (family camps, trips, cruises organized through partners including BIPEL, EOLE, Telligo, UCPA, and KAIROS escape games).
7. International Rights and Licensing: Bayard licenses its press and book content internationally — editions and adaptations in ~50 countries in more than 50 languages. Joint international publications of 1.2 million books through partnerships with Chronicle Books, Planeta, Panini, Shogakukan, and others. International offices in China (Bayard Bridge), Canada (Novalis, Bayard Canada Livres), and the US (Twenty-third Publications).

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels15 records

Core offering

Groupe Bayard is a French Catholic media group that publishes 120 press titles (70 in France), more than 5,500 books with 800+ new releases per year, audiobooks and podcasts, and audiovisual children's content. The Group operates more than 200 websites, 100 apps, and produces iconic character franchises such as Petit Ours Brun, SamSam, Tom-Tom et Nana, and Zouk for TV and SVOD. It reaches 36 million readers worldwide with 5 million subscribers across press, book, audio, audiovisual, and digital platform offerings.

Product overview

Groupe Bayard is a diversified French media group operating across multiple platforms: press (daily, magazine, and children's publications), book publishing, audio (audiobooks, podcasts, radio), audiovisual (animation production), digital platforms and applications, media services (advertising and subcontracted publishing), and events. The group publishes 120 press titles (70 in France), over 5,500 books with 800+ new books annually, operates 200+ websites and apps, and reaches 36 million readers worldwide with 5 million subscribers. Core press brands include La Croix, Notre Temps, Le Pèlerin, and Prions en Église; children's media encompasses Bayard Éditions Jeunesse, Milan Presse, BD KIDS, and Bayam; audio-visual assets include Bayard Audio, Radio Pomme d'Api, and Bayard Animation. The group is organized around integrated content creation and distribution across multiple channels serving audiences from early childhood through seniors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bayard Éditions: Publishing house for culture, society and spirituality books
• Bayard Éditions Jeunesse
• Éditions Milan
• Éditions Tourbillon
• BD Kids
• Bande d'ados
• Bayard Jeux
• Éditions CRER-Bayard
• La Croix
• La Croix L'Hebdo
• Le Pèlerin
• Prions en Église
• Notre Temps
• Notre Temps Jeux
• Notre Temps Santé et Bien-Être
• Bayard Audio
• Bayard Animation
• Bayard Média Développement
• Bayard Service
• Radio Pomme d'Api
• ADF Bayard Musique
• Novalis
• Twenty-third Publication
• Twirl
• Bayard Bridge
• Bayam
• Croire.com
• Terre Sauvage
• Via Aeterna

Products and services

• La Croix
• Notre Temps
• Le Pèlerin
• Prions en Église
• Bayard Éditions
• Bayard Éditions Jeunesse
• Éditions Milan
• Éditions Tourbillon
• BD KIDS
• Bande d'ados
• Éditions CRER-Bayard
• Bayard Audio
• Radio Pomme d'Api
• ADF-Bayard Musique
• Bayard Animation
• Bayam
• La Croix Digital
• Enfant.com
• Notrefamille.com
• Bayard Média Développement
• Bayard Service
• Bayard Jeunesse press titles
• Milan Presse titles

Quantifiable outcome

• 36 million readers worldwide, 5 million subscribers
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Club LandoyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 April 2023Partnership with Club Landoy as part of Groupe Bayard's proximity and advisory strategy for its senior readership audiences. Club Landoy is involved in Bayard's services related to retirement and the silver economy alongside the Notre Temps media brand.
• Trustbridge Global MediacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture creating Bayard Bridge (Beijing, 2017), producing approximately 100 titles per year for children aged 2–12 from Bayard, Milan, and Tourbillon catalogues. Bayard Bridge is Bayard's primary vehicle for Chinese market penetration.
• Chronicle BookscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS partnership through which Tourbillon's large illustrated books are published under the Twirl label by Chronicle Books. One of Bayard's most important international publishing partners.
• PlanetacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor international publishing partner for joint book publications and press licensing across Spanish-language markets.
• PaninicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKey international partner for children's publishing and licensing across markets where Panini operates.
• WoongjincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor Korean publishing partner for Bayard's children's books and magazines through joint international publications.
• ShogakukancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading Japanese publishing partner for Bayard's children's book licensing and joint international publications.
• Zhejiang Juvenile and Children's Publishing HousecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor Chinese children's publishing partner for joint international publications and licensing of Bayard's catalogue.
• Editorial Casals, Éditions SM, Il castello, AST, Ronshin Group, WPGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdditional international publishing partners across Spain, Italy, Russia, China, and Belgium for joint book publications and press licensing.
• Microsoft Ads, Google Ads, Meta Ads, TikTok Ads, Snapchat Ads, CriteocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProgrammatic advertising and retargeting partners across Bayard's digital properties (La Croix, Notre Temps, Pèlerin, Bayard Jeunesse, Milan Jeunesse, BayaM, Prions en Église, etc.). Enable targeted digital advertising, audience reach expansion, and ad retargeting campaigns.
• EOLE, Alma Mundi, Vivatours, OSI, Ferme des AmaninsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily travel partners for Bayard Jeunesse vacation and trip programs. Partners selected based on editorial project alignment with Bayard Jeunesse magazine themes.
• Telligo, UCPAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummer camp partners for Bayard Jeunesse children and family vacation programs. UCPA is also listed as a partner for Bayard Group travel offerings.
• KAIROS, John Doe (escape games)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEscape game operators for physical escape room experiences based on Bayard characters Anatole Latuile (KAIROS Paris, John Doe Nantes) and Tom-Tom et Nana (KAIROS Paris). Physical venues that extend Bayard's intellectual property into immersive entertainment.
• René Martin / CREAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArtistic director and mastermind behind Via Aeterna Mont-Saint-Michel and Bay Music Festival (created 2017) in partnership with the Conseil départementale de la Manche and Centre des monuments nationaux. CREA is the creative force behind the Folle Journée de Nantes.
• Taboola, Weborama, AB Tasty, Qiota, TimeOneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerContent recommendation, retargeting, and personalization partners across Bayard's digital editorial properties. Used for displaying recommended content, targeted advertising, and website optimization.
• DailyMotion, Teads, Adagio, Adyoulike, BLIINK, Fuel Digital, Invibes, Liveramp, Hubvisor, Magnite, Media Square, Moneytag, NEXX360, Ogury, Smart Equativ, Smile Wanted, TripleliftminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProgrammatic advertising partners of Bayard Média Développement's advertising agency. Used for targeted advertising across Bayard's digital properties in compliance with IAB advertising chain consent requirements.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sanoma: Sanoma is a Nordic media and learning company with strong children's magazine and book publishing (among others in Belgium and the Netherlands) plus a K-12 learning business. Directly comparable on multi-country children's press and book publishing with similar subscription-driven business model.
• Egmont Publishing: Egmont Publishing is a Scandinavian children's book and magazine publisher with strong character franchises (Donald Duck, Wooody Woodpecker) and global licensing across print, digital, and animation. Closely comparable to Bayard Jeunesse on children's IP licensing, cross-format franchise exploitation, and international co-publishing.
• Reworld Media: Reworld Media is a French digital and print magazine publisher (Marie Claire, Télé Star, Science & Vie) with heavy emphasis on programmatic advertising and digital transformation. Comparable to Bayard Média Développement on advertising-driven media monetization, though more focused on tech-led transformation.
• Prisma Media: Prisma Media is the leading French magazine publisher (Gala, Voici, Femme Actuelle, Geo, Capital, Télé-Loisirs), directly comparable to Bayard's magazine portfolio and Notre Temps. Both operate multi-title French magazine subscription businesses and face similar structural pressure from print decline and digital migration.
• Fleurus Presse: Fleurus Presse is a French Catholic publisher of children's magazines and books (Astrapi, Phosphore, La Vie, Telerecre) with a nearly identical audience and content mix as Bayard Jeunesse. Operates in the same French Catholic publishing niche with overlapping subscription and newsstand distribution.

Regional players

• Bonnier Group: Bonnier is a Nordic family-owned media group spanning newspapers (Dagens Nyheter, Expressen), magazines, books, and business media. Comparable on the multi-format family-owned media conglomerate model, but primarily serves Swedish/Nordic rather than French/European markets.

Emerging players

• Scholastic: Scholastic is a US-based children's book publisher and education company, owner of the Harry Potter franchise in the US. Comparable to Bayard Jeunesse on children's book publishing and school-channel distribution, though with a primarily English-language and North American footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Hachette Livre (Lagardère): Hachette Livre is the largest French trade book publisher, spanning adult fiction, children's books (Hatier, Gautier-Languereau), illustrated works, and educational publishing under the Lagardère group. Comparable on book publishing scale and children's catalog, but operates at much larger scope across all trade categories.
• Groupe Madrigall: Madrigall is a major French publishing group (Gallimard, Flammarion, Casterman, Futuropolis, Fétu) covering literature, comics, and illustrated books. Comparable on French-language book publishing and children's comics (Casterman is a historic children's comics publisher), though with different ownership structure (private equity-backed).
• Mondadori Group: Mondadori is an Italian media group with book publishing (Mondadori, Rizzoli, Einaudi), magazines (Focus, Panorama, Grazia), and digital properties. Comparable to Bayard on the multi-format European media model with combined book and magazine publishing, though with a broader commercial focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Bayard_Editions

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Groupe Bayard