“It’s going to be hot for the Flight of Books. » Monday April 29, 2024, a few days before the big Castelroussin show, Bernard Lanchais is impatiently awaiting his books. “They are in production, they should arrive at the end of the week. I’m waiting to see it in real life and present it to the public. »
“With Yvan Bernaer, who wrote the texts, we chose around fifty toys – not necessarily successes – and we tell stories, anecdotes…” Because the toy is his whole career. For Smoby, Disney, Berchet, the Ateliers Bernard Lanchais have designed thousands. “At one time, according to taxes, I was the one who received the most royalties in the department”he laughs.
“Largest toy studio in France”
It all started a bit by chance, in 1970. “After my studies in art deco in Paris, I came to Hachette with an educational game project. I was 20 years old, this first project was not necessarily my best. But they told me: “We are opening an educational games department, if you have other plans, let us know. ” »
And the young man, born in Châteauroux in 1950, embarked on the adventure. “It wasn’t easy right away. I worked alone for ten years. Then, I had a team of designers, graphic designers, model makers…”, within the Bernard Lanchais workshops, based since 1981 in Châteauroux. And the projects are raining down. “In the 1990s and 2000s, we were the biggest toy studio in France. »
The toy designer believes he has sold out “more than sixteen million worldwide”. Again in 2020, “we had more than two hundred references on the market, more than half of which were for export”. His latest creation: “Creatix, published by Majorette: these are modules that allow you to build a garage, a farm, an airport… The farm was a great success. »
“I have always tried to make toys that can evolve over time, so that the child can grow with them. There are ride-on toys that adapt depending on the age of the little oneunderlines Bernard Lanchais. For construction games, it’s the imagination. Perhaps my toys have developed vocations in children? »
Pointing to his computer: “today, it’s my office; I do the projects, the administration… Before, there were dedicated tables, the job has evolved a lot over time. And, with 3D printers, we can send models around the world very easily. » Suffering from a neurological disease which has affected his mobility since 2020, the designer still works part-time for his studio. “Working on the book helped me stay morally strong. It gave me a boost. » To see the result, visitors to the Envolée des livres will have the scoop.
“The Toys of Your Childhood by Bernard Lanchais”, written by Yvan Bernaer, editions La Bouinotte, €29. Bernard Lanchais will be present at the Envolée des livres, on May 4 and 5, 2024, at the Cordeliers convent, in Châteauroux.
