French Literary Calendar 2026

JANUARY

21–25 Jan. — Nights of reading (10th ed.) · Entire France + online Theme 2026: “Cities and countryside”. Thousands of free events in libraries, bookstores, schools.
Jan 28-Feb 1 — Le Grimoire · Gérardmer (Vosges) Book Fair of the Fantastic Film Festival. Imaginary literature, book/cinema crossings.

9–12 March — London Book Fair · London (international, rights)
14–31 March — Printemps des Poètes · Entire France Thousands of free events coordinated by the National Book Centre.
20–22 March — 🌍 Salon du Livre Africain de Paris (SLAP, 5th ed.) · Paris, Halle des Blancs-Manteaux + Réfectoire des Cordeliers The largest event of African and Afro-descendant literature in Europe. ~150 publishers, 400 authors, about twenty countries. Theme: “African Youth”, guest country: Angola. Free admission. — African Grand Prix awarded on Sat. 21 March · African Book Prize on Sun. 22 March. — Professional day: Friday, March 20 at the CNL. Centre national de la littérature de jeunesse
26–29 March — Brussels Book Fair · Tour & Taxis, Belgium
26–28 March — Festival des auteurs francophones · New York

Apr 13–16 — Bologna International Youth Book Fair (BCBF) · Bologna 63rd edition. Global meeting of youth publishing, essential for rights.
11 Apr. — Political Book Day · National Assembly, Paris (35th ed.)
17–19 Apr. — Paris Book 🏛️ Festival · Grand Palais, Paris The largest book fair in France. Theme 2026: “The Journey”. The comic is in the spotlight. 400+ meetings. Prices: €6 in presale (until April 7), €10 on site — free for those under 25 in presale. JDS
23–25 Apr — 72 Hours of the Book of Conakry (18th ed.) · Guinea Launched on 23 April 2026 at Lake Gbassikolo, the 18th edition brings together actors from the book chain and the general public. Guineenews ©
28 Apr–2 May — 🌍 SILA – International Book Fair of Abidjan (16th ed.) · Exhibition Center, Port-Bouët, Ivory Coast Theme: “Reading to build”, guest country of honor: Lebanon. 100,000+ visitors expected. Presentation of the Grand Prix Bernard Dadié. L ‘ivre Du Livre
30 Apr-10 May — SIEL – Salon International de l ‘Édition et du Livre (31st ed.) · Rabat, Morocco

16 May — JILA – International African Book Day · Cité Universitaire de Paris, Fondation Lucien Paye Around the role of the African pen for humanity.
28–31 May — Les Imaginales (25th ed.) · Epinal 200 imaginary authors from around the world. Video mapping evenings and shows.
May 30–31 — Premier Marché de la Nouvelle · Paris

Jun 17-Jul 19 — Partir en Livre · Entire France Grand national festival dedicated to children’s literature. Free, in parks, beaches, libraries.

Early Sept. — Literary back-to-school in France / 1st Grand Prix selections The Prix Goncourt announces its first selection (15 titles) in early September 2026. Académie Goncourt
September — Le Livre sur la Place (48th ed.) · Nancy, Place de la Carrière First major national show of the season. Organized under the sponsorship of the Académie Goncourt.
18–20 Sept. — Books in the Loop · Besançon Major Eastern Festival, focus on back-to-school literature.

Oct 7–11 — Frankfurt Book Fair (Frankfurter Buchmesse) · Frankfurt The world’s largest book fair. Must-have for international rights.
8–10 Oct. — 🌍 FILAB – International Book and Assimilated Arts Festival of Benin (4th ed.) · Cotonou Theme: “Literature, cultural mediation and promotion of peace”, guest country: Senegal. L ‘ivre Du Livre
Oct.-Nov. — 2nd and 3rd Grand Prix selections (Goncourt, Femina, Medici, Renaudot, Interallié)

Nov. Start — Proclamation of the Grand Prix d ‘Automne Goncourt, Renaudot (same day), Femina, Médicis, Interallié, Goncourt des Lycéens.
6–8 Nov. — Foire du Livre de Brive (44th ed.) · Halle Georges-Brassens, Brive-la-Gaillarde Under the chairmanship of Dominique Bona, French academician. 500 authors, enlarged space of 1,000 m². The winners of the autumn awards are present. Foiredulivredebrive
Nov. — Ouagadougou International Book Fair (FILO) · Burkina Faso
Nov. — Douala Book Fair (SALIDO) · Cameroon (Date to be confirmed)
Nov. — Dakar International Book Fair · Senegal Date to be confirmed)
Nov. — Mali International Literature Fair (SILMA) · Bamako Date to be confirmed)

December — Salon du Livre et de la Presse Jeunesse · Montreuil (Seine-Saint-Denis) National reference for children’s and illustrated literature.
6–9 Dec. — Les Fous du Livre · Yaoundé, Cameroon