The Franco-Belgian comics tradition is long and rich. Bandes Dessinées (literally "drawn strips") occupy a place of cultural prestige, and are often referred to as the "Ninth Art" of France. This may be partially due to a comics tradition that is aimed at all different age groups, rather than produced exclusively for children and adolescents. Bande Dessinée conventions have been hugely influential on the international comics market, and France and Belgium have arguably produced some of the greatest masters of sequential art.
For French-language comics search:
Comic books, strips, etc.--France
Comic books, strips, etc.--Belgium
Comic books, strips, etc.--Africa, French-speaking
Bandes dessinées
Bandes dessinées--Canada
Romans graphiques
For history and criticism search:
Comic books, strips, etc.--France--History and criticism
Comic books, strips, etc.--Belgium--History and criticism
Bandes dessinée--France--Histoire et critique
Bandes dessinée--Belgique--Histoire et critique
The Ninth Art? By Peter Davy
The French Notion of the Comic by Will G. Moore
Introduction from Masters of the Ninth Art: Bandes Dessinées and Franco-Belgian Identity by Mathew Screech
Comics in French: the European Bande Dessinée in Context by 
History and Politics in French-Language Comics and Graphic Novels by 
