Éditions du Noroît

Éditions du Noroît is a French-language publishing house based in Montreal, Quebec, dedicated primarily to poetry and essays. Founded in 1971 by René Bonenfant and his partner, poet and illustrator Célyne Fortin, the press has become one of the most enduring independent literary publishers in Quebec. Its catalogue spans contemporary poetry, hybrid essays, and works that blur genre boundaries, with distribution in Canada and France. The house was established by Bonenfant and Fortin while they were working in academic publishing at the Presses de l'Université de Montréal. A chance encounter with a manuscript by colleague Alexis Lefrançois led to their first publication, Calcaires, illustrated by Miljenko Horvat. Initially releasing two titles per year, the press expanded to an average of six titles annually between 1975 and 1979 with support from the Canada Council for the Arts. Over the decades, Noroît has published numerous Quebec and francophone poets, maintaining a commitment to accessible yet formally adventurous writing. After being led by Paul Bélanger, Hélène Dorion, and Patrick Lafontaine, the publishing house is now co-directed by Charlotte Francœur and Mélissa Labonté. Its recent catalogue includes titles such as Volontiers le réel by France Mongeau, Bleu désordre by Mimi Haddam, Indices de Catherine by Laurence Perron, and L'histoire de comment je me suis séparée en deux by Hoda Adra. In 2026, the press will celebrate its 55th anniversary, continuing its mission to publish poetry that engages with contemporary realities. Noroît remains a privately held, independent publisher, distributed in Canada and France, and is recognized as a key institution in Quebec's literary landscape.

Éditions du Noroît was founded in 1971 by René Bonenfant and Célyne Fortin, who were then working in academic publishing at the Presses de l'Université de Montréal. The name "Noroît" refers to the northwest wind, a term Bonenfant knew from his native Abitibi, and also symbolizes a new breath in publishing. The press was born from a chance conversation with colleague Alexis Lefrançois, who submitted a manuscript. That manuscript, Calcaires, illustrated by Miljenko Horvat, became the first publication; Lefrançois and Horvat shared the financing equally, as the young house had no state support. Initially, Noroît published two titles per year. With support from the Canada Council for the Arts, output increased to an average of six titles annually between 1975 and 1979. As submissions poured in, Fortin and Bonenfant tightened their selection criteria, favoring texts that offered a writing experience and worked to break genre boundaries while remaining accessible. The house distinguished itself by rejecting ideologies, avant-garde theories, and literary hermeticism, and by emphasizing the importance of friendship between publishers and authors. Over the decades, Noroît has been led by several notable figures: Paul Bélanger, Hélène Dorion, and Patrick Lafontaine. It is now co-directed by Charlotte Francœur and Mélissa Labonté. The catalogue includes works by numerous Quebec and francophone poets. In 2026, the press will celebrate its 55th anniversary, continuing its mission to publish poetry that engages with contemporary realities. Noroît remains an independent, privately held publisher distributed in Canada and France.

• 2026

  Press celebrates its 55th anniversary.

• 1975

  With Canada Council support, output increases to an average of six titles per year until 1979.

• 1971

  Founded by René Bonenfant and Célyne Fortin in Montreal.

• 1971

  First publication: Calcaires by Alexis Lefrançois, illustrated by Miljenko Horvat.

Independent francophone literary publisher specializing in poetry and essays, known for accessible yet formally innovative works.

Product categories. Poetry collections · Essays · Hybrid literary works

1. 1Accueil - Le Noroîtlenoroit.com
2. 2L'histoire de comment je me suis séparée en deux - Hoda Adra - 2026 - Le Noroîtlenoroit.com
3. 3Éditions du Noroît - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Éditions du Noroît - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org