Hachette Livre books

Hachette Livre is a historic pillar of the global publishing industry, with a legacy stretching back to the early 19th century. Founded in Paris in 1826 by Louis Hachette, the brand began as a modest bookshop and evolved into one of the world's 'Big Five' publishing houses. Over nearly two centuries, it has expanded through major acquisitions, including the purchase of Time Warner Book Group in 2006, which solidified its presence in the United States and other English-speaking markets.

In recent years, the ownership of Hachette has undergone significant corporate shifts. After decades under the Lagardère Group, the company became part of a larger consolidation led by the French conglomerate Vivendi. In late 2024 and heading into 2026, the publishing assets were restructured under the newly formed Louis Hachette Group (LHG). This independent entity was created following a spin-off from Vivendi to manage the publishing and media holdings, with the Bolloré family maintaining substantial control through their investment vehicles. Today, Hachette operates a vast network of imprints globally, with manufacturing and printing occurring in numerous countries to serve local and international markets.