Autour des Rencontres Philosophiques de Langres

Philosophy within everyone's reach in the city of Diderot

Born in 2011, the Rencontres Philosophiques de Langres constitute a training program included in the National Training Plan of the Ministry of National Education and Youth, intended for philosophy teachers and inspectors from all over France. Alongside this institutional action, the City of Langres and the association Autour des Rencontres Philosophiques de Langres (ARPL) deploy an ambitious cultural program accessible to all for about ten days.

An annual event around a universal theme

Each year, a philosophical theme unites the entire program. Since the first edition dedicated to Truth in 2011, the Encounters have explored fundamental subjects: Freedom (2012), Matter and Spirit (2013), History (2014), Politics (2016), Nature (2017), Art (2018), Time (2019), Language, Justice, Sensitivity (2023), Creation (2024), and Violence (2025). These major philosophical questions are addressed in a wide variety of formats accessible to the general public.

A multidisciplinary program

The festival offers a rich and varied program that goes far beyond academic conferences:

• Conferences and round tables led by renowned philosophers, researchers, and intellectuals
• Live performances: theater, dance, artistic performances related to the annual theme
• Exhibitions in the city's heritage sites, particularly the Maison des Lumières Denis Diderot
• Film screenings and philosophical film-debates
• Participatory workshops: flash-philosophy, philosophy cafés, philosophical practice workshops for all ages
• Philo-heritage walks to discover Langres and Diderot's legacy
• Ephemeral philosophy bookstore offering books and signings

In the footsteps of Denis Diderot

Langres, a fortified city perched on a rocky outcrop in Haute-Marne, is the birthplace of Denis Diderot, born on October 5, 1713. It is around this anniversary date that the Encounters are held each year, paying homage to the encyclopedic spirit and insatiable curiosity of the Enlightenment philosopher. The city houses the Maison des Lumières Denis Diderot, the only museum in Europe dedicated to the philosopher, which actively participates in the festival's program.

National and international reach

The Rencontres Philosophiques de Langres attract several thousand participants each year: researchers, teachers, trainers, as well as enlightened amateurs and curious spectators from all over France. The event benefits from the support of the Ministry of National Education, the Grand Est Region, the Department of Haute-Marne, and the City of Langres. This event contributes to the cultural influence of Langres and the democratization of philosophical thought.

Living and accessible philosophy

The originality of the Encounters lies in their desire to make philosophy accessible to the greatest number. Far from the strictly academic framework, the festival takes over the streets, squares, museums, and performance halls of Langres to offer a living, embodied, and participatory philosophy. Almost all events are offered free of charge or by donation, demonstrating the organizers' commitment to access to culture and thought for all.