«La Francia intera lo lesse»: strumenti per la storia editoriale del Calendrier des Bergers

The Calendrier des Bergers are among the most intriguing products of the early age of print culture in France. Originating in the late 15th century, these compilations of entertaining and informative texts designed for the cultured audience later evolved into a beloved reading choice and a highlight of the Bibliothèque Bleue, with continuous printing lasting until shortly after the French Revolution. This paper traces the editorial history of the Bergers, highlighting their unique chronological and geographical diffusion. It reconstructs the defining qualities of individual workshops and their interconnections, employing material evidence from surviving copies and their distinctive iconographic sets to reveal how they adapted to the tastes and financial capabilities of a broad spectrum of audiences throughout the evolution of French print culture. Completed with a comprehensive catalog of the known editions, this paper aims to provide the groundwork for further diachronic studies on the Bergers.