Apprenticeship in Bookbinding (CAP)

We offer you the opportunity to train as a bookbinder at our school on an apprenticeship basis in preparation for a CAP (“Certificat d’Aptitude Professionnelle”, professional qualification).

The vocational training

Training time at school will account for approximately 25% of your weekly hours.

You will be trained in the craft of bookbinding and gold tooling with a view to taking the professional qualification CAP. The training consists of 4 vocational modules:

U1: Design study and graphic proposals.
U2: Analysis and preparation of a binding.
U3: Execution of bookbinding work.
Supplementary English for professional practice.

In addition to these modules, there are three specific training courses:

Work of art
Co-teaching (mathematics, French)
Health and environment prevention

General education

At the same time, for students who do not hold a diploma equivalent to or higher than this professional qualification, there are 4 general modules on the programme:

UG1: French – History and geography – Moral and civic education
UG2: Mathematics – Sciences
UG3: Physical education
UG4: English as foreign language

www.education.gouv.fr

International education

We are committed to providing our students with the highest quality English language training to enable them to communicate effectively in the international arena.

As part of your training, you will also have the opportunity to spend two weeks in one of the world’s most prestigious centres of written heritage. This trip will give you an insight into the international aspect of the profession you are training for. In 2022-2023, for example: Stay in South Africa at the library of the University of Cape Town in South Africa and at the Iziko Museum in Cape Town.

Apprentoceship in the Workshop

75% of your time will be spent in workshop, interacting with professionals.

You will be working on both modern books in need of administrative binding and rare old books, which are real heritage treasures.

The operations you will be required to carry out include: …

Carrying out the gathering, which encompasses all the operations that prepare the book for sewing.
Assembling components using various techniques (sewing, gluing, stitching…).
Shaping the bookblock.
Preparing the cover (working on various types of leather).
Gold tooling

In the workshop, you will be personally accompanied by a supervisor, a highly qualified craftsperson with many years’ experience.

He or she will be at your side throughout your training and will be your mentor in the workshop.

In the workshop, you will be personally accompanied by a supervisor, a highly qualified craftsperson with many years’ experience.

He or she will be at your side throughout your training and will be your mentor in the workshop.

Important information

Training duration

12 months

Prerequisites

Completion of middle school and be between 16 and 29 years old. If you are recognised as a disabled worker, there is no age limit.

Price

The training is 100% free of charge.

Methods of assessment during the year

Summative assessments, formative assessments, mock final exam during and at the end of the course, assessments and practical tests in the workshop, skills-based assessments.

Aim of the training

Training leading to the diploma “CAP” (“Certificat d’Aptitude Professionnelle”, professional qualification) in Bookbinding.

Application

Registration closes on 30 August 2025 for the 2025/2026 session.

Apply now

In addition to these tests, there will be two further tests: the work of art and the Health & Environment Prevention test, which includes a training as a workplace first-aider.

To obtain the diploma, students must score an average of 10 in all the tests and in the vocational units.

If you fail a test, you can retake the test the following year to validate the skill blocks you failed.

Results: 100% success rate in obtaining the “CAP” in Bookbinding

Access: The training is open to all, including people with disabilities. Specific access methods and accommodations are implemented to ensure that each student is welcomed under the best possible conditions. The accessibility register is available for consultation on-site at the training center entrance.

Team spirit: Each year’s class is given the title of a work restored at the Reliure du Limousin or a famous conservator-restorer and is accompanied by a godmother or godfather who has had an outstanding career in the field of heritage.

Class number: 10 students per year

Diploma: training leading to certification. Preparation for the “CAP – Arts de la reliure” diploma , registered with the RNCP under code RNCP37539. Date of maturity: 31-08-2028. Certifier : FRENCH MINISTRY OF NATIONAL EDUCATION AND YOUTH

Next open day: N/A

Link to the CAP reference guide

Sessions:The next session will be held in September 2026 and is open exclusively to holders of a level 3 diploma (formerly V) exempt from general education.

2023-2024 statistics:

Graduation rate for the “CAP – Arts de la reliure” diploma in 2023: 100%
Graduation rate for the “CAP – Arts de la reliure” diploma in 2024: 100%
Continuation rate: 0%
Interruption rate during training: 8%
Professional integration rate: 83%
Added value: 21%
Apprenticeship contract termination rate: 8 %
Apprentice satisfaction rate: 95 %

Advanced training and professional integration