Le Livre sur la Place 2026 Sets Literary Program
The 48th Le Livre sur la Place event in Nancy will run from September 11-13, 2026, featuring many authors and a focus on youth programming
The 48th edition of Le Livre sur la Place, the first major event of the literary season, will take place in Nancy from September 11 to 13, 2026. Organized by the City of Nancy with the Lire à Nancy booksellers' association and under the patronage of the Académie Goncourt, the event expects many visitors.
Israeli historian Élie Barnavi and Palestinian essayist and poet Élias Sanbar will co-preside over the event, a choice intended to symbolize dialogue between peoples. They will open the program on Saturday, September 12, at the Opéra national de Nancy Lorraine and will later converse with writer Colum McCann on Sunday.
The programming will bridge literature and science with discussions on artificial intelligence, health, history, and contemporary issues. Several France Inter radio shows will also be recorded or broadcast from the site.
A Strengthened Focus on Youth
Youth programming is a key development this year. The event dedicates several spaces to young readers, including the P’tit Studio for children aged 3 to 12 and a new reading area to explore authors' picture books. Workshops, readings, meetings, podcasts, and activities are planned for children and teenagers.
Supported by the CNL, the P’tit Studio will host France Inter podcasts like Tina et le serpent à plume and Les Odyssées d’Alexandre Dumas. Readings, meetings with youth authors, and hands-on activities such as "Inventer l’impossible" are also scheduled. "La jeunesse occupera la première place du programme," asserts Sarah Polacci, the event's general commissioner. The weekend will conclude with a children's dance party on Sunday at 5 p.m.
Literary Prizes to Be Awarded
Several literary prizes will be awarded during the three-day event. The list includes established awards with connections to the region and specific genres.
| Prize Name | Focus / Notes |
|---|---|
| Prix Livre et Droits Humains de la Ville de Nancy | Created in 2002 under the presidency of Simone Veil. |
| Prix Ginkgo, Louis Pasteur | Dedicated to audiobooks. |
| Feuille d’Or de la Ville de Nancy, Batigère | Rewards a new literary season text linked to the Grand Est region. |
| Goncourt de la Biographie Edmonde Charles-Roux | Has been awarded at the event since 1980. |
| Prix du Livre Environnement de la Fondation Veolia | Created in 2006; awarded annually in Nancy. |
The event will also host the final deliberation for the new metropolitan prize from the Stan network, launched in 2025, which focuses on a francophone winter season novel about travel.
New Patrons and Financial Pressures
The event operates on a budget of less than one million euros and generates no revenue from its commercial footprint. Publishers do not pay for their stands, and booksellers do not contribute a percentage of their sales. "Les mécènes occupent une place prépondérante dans le bon fonctionnement du programme et je ne veux pas que cela change," Sarah Polacci emphasized.
This need is showed by recent changes in patronage for the Prix Stanislas for the best debut novel. Groupama, which previously bought 500 copies of the winning book, ended its support. The new patron, MMA, provides overall funding to the event, which helps maintain the prize's endowment. Polacci noted she chose not to directly allocate these new private funds to the prize itself.
"Les temps sont durs, la raison on ne la connaît pas vraiment, c’est venu un peu brutalement," Polacci said of Groupama's departure, adding that equivalent funding levels have since been restored. Two other new patrons joined this year: the Saint-Charles hospital group and the Louis XV restaurant, the latter covering cocktails for authors.
Polacci stressed the continued essential role of public funding, noting no subsidies were cut this year. After five years leading the event, she argues for increased pursuit of private patronage. "Il est urgent de s’appuyer encore plus sur le mécénat," she stated, while also mentioning the need to sensitize the public and find other revenue streams. This search for funds comes as the event expands its author list and observes a slight annual increase in book sales.
Exhibitions and Notable Events
Artistic offerings include an exhibition titled "Je suis ici. Poésie contemporaine de langue allemande," presented by the Goethe-Institut Nancy in partnership with Munich's Lyrik Kabinett. The event will also pay tribute to the late author and filmmaker Marjane Satrapi with a dedicated exhibition.
In the off-site "Livre sous la Place" program in the Charles III parking garage, author Franck Thilliez will meet the public on Saturday, September 12, at 10:30 a.m. To discuss his new novel L’Autre Moi. The free event will be followed by a signing session.
Two associated prizes have already been awarded. The Prix des Libraires de Nancy, Le Point went to Anne Godard for Nous aussi. The Prix Stanislas for the best debut novel of the 2026 literary season was awarded to Élise Lespade for Paradisi Gloria.
