Literary Festivals in September 2026
A list of literary festivals taking place in September 2026 across France and Belgium.
Les Traversées du Marais, a literary festival in Paris, will take place from September 4 to 6. The event will bring together over 50 cultural institutions in the Marais neighborhood for free, featuring a range of activities such as concerts, performances, lectures, visits, workshops, and projections. The festival will focus on architecture, exploring the dialogue between historical heritage and contemporary creation.
The program will include a range of literary events, including a performance called "La bibliothèque" by Fanny de Chaillé, which transforms authors into "living books" for individual readings at the Archives nationales. There will also be a day dedicated to contemporary Belgian and French poetry at the Centre Wallonie-Bruxelles, as well as readings by the Jeune Théâtre National in various locations in the Marais.
| Festival | Dates | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Les Traversées du Marais | September 4-6 | Paris |
| Livre sur les quais | September 4-6 | Morges, Switzerland |
| StoryHeaven | September 5-6 | Brussels, Belgium |
| Festival du Polar Le Roz et le Noir | September 8-13 | Perros-Guirec, France |
| Livre sur la Place | September 11-13 | Nancy, France |
| Livres dans la Boucle | September 18-20 | Besançon, France |
| Lisons Libres ! | September 18-20 | Paris, France |
| Bibliothèques Idéales | September 18-October 4 | Strasbourg, France |
The festival will also feature a range of other activities, including a lecture around the work of Paul Celan, a theatrical reading about the Spanish Civil War, and a performance that explores the dialogue between architecture and creation.
The festival is free and open to all, and is a great opportunity to discover the Marais neighborhood through contemporary artistic creation.
Literary Festivals in France and Belgium
In addition to Les Traversées du Marais, there are several other literary festivals taking place in France and Belgium in September 2026.
StoryHeaven in Brussels
StoryHeaven, a literary festival in Brussels, will take place from September 5 to 6. The festival will bring together authors, editors, librarians, illustrators, and readers around the theme of romance and imaginary literature. The program will include meetings, readings, and workshops, as well as a range of activities such as quizzes, writing workshops, calligraphy, book customization, and fantasy card creation.
Festival du Polar Le Roz et le Noir
The Festival du Polar Le Roz et le Noir, a literary festival in Perros-Guirec, will take place from September 8 to 13. The festival will bring together authors, editors, and readers around the theme of crime fiction. The program will include meetings, readings, and workshops, as well as a range of activities such as demonstrations of forensic specialists, a presentation of a police dog, and a meeting with a judge.
Livre sur la Place in Nancy
Livre sur la Place, a literary festival in Nancy, will take place from September 11 to 13. The festival will bring together authors, editors, and readers around the theme of dialogue, listening, and peace. The program will include meetings, readings, and workshops, as well as a range of activities such as the presentation of several literary prizes.
Livres dans la Boucle in Besançon
Livres dans la Boucle, a literary festival in Besançon, will take place from September 18 to 20. The festival will bring together authors, editors, and readers around the theme of literature and its links with other arts. The program will include meetings, readings, and workshops, as well as a range of activities such as literary performances, concerts, and exhibitions.
Lisons Libres ! in Paris
Lisons Libres !, a literary festival in Paris, will take place from September 18 to 20. The festival will bring together authors, editors, and readers around the theme of independent publishing in Île-de-France. The program will include meetings, readings, and workshops, as well as a range of activities such as debates, tables, and performances.
Bibliothèques Idéales in Strasbourg
Bibliothèques Idéales, a literary festival in Strasbourg, will take place from September 18 to October 4. The festival will bring together authors, editors, and readers around the theme of great questions of society. The program will include meetings, readings, and workshops, as well as a range of activities such as literary performances, concerts, and exhibitions.
The festival will also feature a range of other activities, including a meeting with the historian and former Israeli ambassador to France, Élie Barnavi, and a meeting with the historian and former Palestinian ambassador to UNESCO, Elias Sanbar.
The festival is a great opportunity to discover the diversity of contemporary literature and to meet authors, editors, and readers from across France and Belgium.
The festival will take place in various locations across Paris, including the Espace des Blancs-Manteaux, the Scènacle, and the Comédie de Besançon.
The festival is free and open to all, and is a great opportunity to discover the diversity of contemporary literature and to meet authors, editors, and readers from across France and Belgium.
