Cœur du Var Literary Festival
Free book festival in Gonfaron (Var): literature, youth, manga and comics, workshops and meetings for all audiences
About Cœur du Var Literary Festival
The Festival Littéraire Cœur du Var is a free and family-friendly cultural event organized every June in Gonfaron, in the Var region. It brings together around forty authors of general literature, youth literature, manga, and comics during a festive weekend that combines meet-and-greets, book signings, round tables, creative workshops for children, readings, shows, and a loud reading competition. The festival also features a week of local literary events beforehand in eleven communes of the Cœur du Var (schools, media libraries, libraries). A book festival accessible to all in the heart of Var Provence, supported by the association La revanche de l'âne.
The Festival Littéraire Cœur du Var: the book festival in the heart of Var Provence
The Festival Littéraire Cœur du Var is one of the most anticipated cultural events in inland Var. Every June, the commune of Gonfaron transforms into a book village, welcoming around forty authors and hundreds of readers for a weekend of meetings, signings, and sharing around literature in all its forms. Since its creation, the festival has been supported by the association La revanche de l'âne, which works to promote reading and writing in the Cœur du Var.
Gonfaron, village of books and cork
Gonfaron is a typical Provençal village in the Var, known for its cork-working tradition and for the Village des Tortues, a conservation center for Hermann's tortoises. It is in this green and authentic setting that the festival has chosen to establish itself, taking advantage of the charm of the village square, shaded streets, and associative spaces (Cercle des Travailleurs, large marquee, communal hall) to welcome its authors and public. This choice of a rural village rather than a large city demonstrates the organizers' desire to bring literature to where it is often less present.
A literary week before the main weekend
The festival is not limited to the main weekend alone: it is part of a local literary week that takes place beforehand in eleven communes of the Cœur du Var. Author meetings in media libraries and libraries (Le Cannet-des-Maures, Le Luc-en-Provence, Cabasse, Le Thoronet, Flassans-sur-Issole, Besse-sur-Issole, Puget-Ville, Pignans, etc.), writing and drawing workshops in primary and secondary schools, classroom interventions — in total, about fifty interventions are organized in a dozen establishments to forge a lasting link between residents and literature.
A festive weekend around books: 40 authors, all genres
The heart of the festival is the Book Festival weekend, which brings together around 40 authors representing all literary genres: novels, essays, poetry, youth literature, manga, comics, thrillers, human sciences. This plurality is a strength: it allows the festival to attract very diverse audiences, from classical literature enthusiasts to manga fans, as well as parents with their children or lovers of illustrated books.
Among the regularly invited authors are major figures of the French literary scene alongside Provençal authors and youth illustrators. Book signing sessions, thematic round tables, interview-meetings, and informal gatherings at the Cercle des Travailleurs allow readers to interact closely with authors, in an accessible format and without the distances often imposed by large literary fairs.
Workshops for youth: manga, comics, writing, reading
The children's and youth program is particularly well-developed and constitutes one of the festival's great assets. Drawing workshops (comics, illustration, manga) led by professional authors and illustrators, character and avatar creation workshops, writing workshops, loud readings, games around picture books: these activities, accessible to all and free, allow children to understand how a book is created and to try their hand at writing and drawing under the guidance of a professional.
The «Donne de la voix» (Give Voice) competition — a loud reading competition organized in conjunction with schools in the Cœur du Var — has become one of the festival's highlights, showcasing the magic of literary text interpreted by passionate readers. Three categories (novices, confirmed, experts) and a jury that selects the winners in public.
Free and family-friendly: founding values
The festival's complete gratuity is a deep conviction of its organizers. By making the entire program accessible — meetings, workshops, conferences, shows, open-air cinema — without financial compensation, the festival asserts that culture and literature are common goods that should not be subject to commercial logic. This gratuity is made possible by the support of the State, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, the Var department, the commune of Gonfaron, and numerous partners (Sofia, CAF du Var, partner bookstores L'alchimie des mots in Garéoult and Les trois brigands in Toulon).
Cœur du Var Literary Festival — edition 2026
The 12th edition of the Cœur du Var Literary Festival takes place from June 6 to 14, 2026, in Gonfaron and eleven municipalities of Cœur du Var, with the theme « Violence against women and domestic violence ». Around forty authors (male and female) are expected for meetings, book signings, conferences, round tables, workshops, and shows, with guests of honor Boris Cyrulnik and Lydie Salvayre. The program is entirely free and open to all audiences.
Cœur du Var Literary Festival 2026 — 12th edition, June 6 to 14 in Gonfaron
The Cœur du Var Literary Festival returns for its 12th edition from June 6 to 14, 2026, with the central theme « Violence against women and domestic violence ». True to its mission of cultural democratization, the association La revanche de l'âne once again offers an entirely free program, accessible to all ages and all literary sensibilities.
Guests of Honor 2026: Boris Cyrulnik and Lydie Salvayre
Two major figures are guests of honor this year: Boris Cyrulnik, psychiatrist, neurologist, and father of the concept of resilience, will present his reflections on re-civilization in the face of de-civilization during a major meeting on Sunday afternoon; and Lydie Salvayre, winner of the Prix Goncourt 2014 for Pas pleurer, who delivers an intimate and introspective self-portrait.
Joining them in general literature and human sciences are: Pierre Avrial, Danièle Bédert-Laupêtre, Andrééne Bel, Bruno Carpentier, Antoine Casanova, Olivier Ciechelski, Guillaume Coudray (investigative journalist), Michel Delage (psychiatrist), Jean-Jacques Jelot-Blanc (biographer of Marcel Pagnol), Valérie Manteau (journalist), Jocelyne Missud Juramie, Marie Neuser, Marc Roger, Jean-Louis Sarrato, Martine Vita, Gérald Wittock.
Youth and Comics: 40 Authors in Total
The youth program brings together Yvon Amiel, Catherine Anne, Christophe Bataillon, Calouan, Caroline de Deus, Christophe Loupy, Cécile Miraglio, Pascale Perrier, Val Reiyel, Elsa Valentin, and Bernard Villiot. For comics and manga: Nadira Aouadi-Moreau, Jonathan Aucomte, Emilie Dambreville, James Christ, Nicole Gix, Emilie Harel, Sophiane Nemra, Théa Rojzman, and Eric Stoffel.
Partner Publishing Houses and Bookstores
The publishing houses Arcol Évasion and The Melmac Cat are present. The festival is in partnership with the bookstores L'alchimie des mots (Garéoult) and Les trois brigands (Toulon).
A Week of Local Events in Advance
From June 6 to 12, the festival unfolds in eleven municipalities of Cœur du Var with meetings in media libraries, libraries, and schools: Le Cannet-des-Maures, Le Luc-en-Provence, Cabasse, Le Thoronet, Flassans-sur-Issole, Besse-sur-Issole, Puget-Ville, Pignans, and of course Gonfaron. Around fifty interventions with classes are also organized in a dozen schools.
The Grand Weekend in Gonfaron: June 13 and 14
The heart of the edition takes place on Saturday, June 13 (from 2 PM to 6 PM) and Sunday, June 14 (from 10 AM to 6 PM) in Gonfaron, under the big top in the village square and at the Cercle des Travailleurs: author meetings and interviews, round tables, youth workshops, the Donne de la voix competition, a show by Compagnie Juste en Face, an open-air cinema screening (Naïs by Marcel Pagnol, Saturday 9:30 PM), and literary siestas.
Programme Cœur du Var Literary Festival 2026
June 6 to 12, 2026 — Local Literary Week in Cœur du Var
Saturday, June 6 — Youth
- 2:30 PM — Le Cannet-des-Maures, Media Library · Steps to Create a Comic Book, workshop led by Sophiane Nemra, comic book author.
Wednesday, June 10 — Youth
- 9:30 AM — Gonfaron, Library · The Book Chain, activity by Christophe Loupy: discover the creation process and play.
- 10:00 AM — Le Luc, Media Library · Illustration Workshop led by Emilie Harel, illustrator (registration at 04 94 60 87 79).
- 2:00 PM — Flassans-sur-Issole, Les Grands Prés primary school · The Book Chain with Christophe Loupy.
- 2:00 PM — Le Thoronet, Lucie Aubrac primary school · Play with Tekki the Mummy, activity by Nicole Gix, comic book author (for children from the leisure center).
- 4:00 PM — Cabasse, Library · Illustration Workshop with Emilie Harel.
Friday, June 12 — All Audiences
- 6:00 PM — Gonfaron, Domaine du Château Gasqui · Wine on Wine, Excellence, a festive and convivial reading about wine and intoxication, by Marc Roger.
- 6:00 PM — Besse-sur-Issole, Library · In the Style of Jean de La Fontaine, writing workshop and conference by Antoine Casanova about his collection of pastiches Fables du robinet.
- 7:00 PM — Puget-Ville, Media Library · Celts and Witches in Provence, Myths or Realities, meeting with Bruno Carpentier about his novel La source bleue (registration at 04 94 48 38 47).
Saturday, June 13 Morning — All Audiences
- 10:00 AM — Pignans, Vieux Moulin hall (Place de la Foire) · The Var in History, meeting with Pierre Avrial about his Historical Chronicles.
Saturday, June 13, 2026 — Gonfaron, from 2 PM to 6 PM
Under the Big Top — Guests Speak
- 2:15 PM-3:00 PM — Hypnotic Thriller, meeting-interview with Olivier Ciechelski about his novel Le livre des prodiges, which features inhabitants of urban fringes.
- 3:15 PM-4:00 PM — Self-Portrait, Introspection, and Conversation, meeting-interview with Lydie Salvayre, guest of honor, about a book of intimate introspection.
- 4:45 PM-5:45 PM — Meeting Marcel Pagnol, talk-discussion with Jean-Jacques Jelot-Blanc, journalist and biographer, about Autant en emporte la gloire.
Youth Workshops — by registration
- 2:30 PM — Draw an F1 Car with Yvon Amiel (all audiences, 45 min, 12 places).
- 3:30 PM — Create Your Mythological Badge with Emilie Harel (from 4 years old, 45 min, 12 places).
Food and Entertainment
- Literary siesta (lying on a deckchair, quietly reading!).
- Catering with the Restaurateurs de Gonfaron.
Open-Air Cinema
- 9:30 PM — Screening of Naïs (1945, 1h58), directed by Marcel Pagnol and Raymond Leboursier after Émile Zola, with Fernandel and Jacqueline Bouvier.
Sunday, June 14, 2026 — Gonfaron, from 10 AM to 6 PM
Under the Big Top
- 10:00 AM — Donne de la voix, 3rd edition of the public reading competition for Cœur du Var schools (novice, confirmed, expert categories; awards ceremony).
- 11:15 AM-12:00 PM — Round table Violence against women and domestic violence, with Valérie Manteau (journalist), Marie Neuser (novelist), and Michel Delage (psychiatrist), moderated by Laurence Thomas, bookseller.
- 2:15 PM-3:15 PM — How do we re-civilize ourselves in the face of de-civilization?, major meeting with Boris Cyrulnik, guest of honor, moderated by Laurence Thomas. Universal topic: harmony between men and women, adults and children, humans and nature, in light of resilience theory.
- 4:45 PM — Show Ah la la! What a story by Catherine Anne, by Cie Juste en Face — Timber. Theater for all audiences from 6 years old, duration 1h. In the presence of the author.
Literary Meetings at the Cercle des Travailleurs — moderated by Alain Laplante
- 3:30 PM — Denouncing a danger that enters our food, interview with Guillaume Coudray, investigative journalist, about De l'essence dans nos assiettes (investigation into hexane in the industrial food chain).
- 4:15 PM — The Poets' Corner, meeting with Danièle Bédert-Laupêtre, whose words resonate in the universe of painter Georges Kulik.
Youth Workshops — by registration
- 10:15 AM — Make a Dragon with Caroline de Deus (from 5 years old, 45 min, 10 places).
- 11:15 AM — Once Upon a Time, My Avatar with Théa Rojzman (6-10 years old, 45 min, 10 places): create your avatar and a fake book cover.
- 2:15 PM — Come Read Aloud, intergenerational workshop led by Catherine Anne (from 8 years old, 1h, 10 places).
Free Access Activities
- Joyful and playful literary activity by the Gonfaron library, for everyone.
- Book lottery (random draw, prizes = books).
Workshop Registration
Limited number of places. Prior registration is mandatory by email to [email protected], specifying: workshop name, time, first name, last name, age, and municipality of the participant. Maximum two workshops per child. Children remain under the responsibility of their accompanying adult during the workshop.
Highlights Cœur du Var Literary Festival 2026
- 12th edition from June 6 to 14, 2026, in Gonfaron and 11 municipalities of Cœur du Var
- Theme 2026: Violence against women and domestic violence
- Guests of honor: Boris Cyrulnik (psychiatrist, resilience theorist) and Lydie Salvayre (Prix Goncourt 2014)
- ~40 authors in literature, youth, manga, and comics
- Open-air cinema Saturday 9:30 PM: Naïs by Marcel Pagnol
- Youth show Ah la la! What a story by Catherine Anne (Sunday 4:45 PM)
- Donne de la voix competition (3rd edition, Sunday 10:00 AM)
- Free admission — free youth workshops by registration
Prices Cœur du Var Literary Festival 2026
Practical information — Cœur du Var Literary Festival
Practical Information
Location
Gonfaron (83590), a commune in the Var region, approximately 25 km north of Toulon and 15 km north of Le Cannet-des-Maures. The festival takes over the village center: main square (large marquee), Cercle des Travailleurs, communal hall, and associative spaces. Local meetings take place in the media libraries, libraries, and schools of the Cœur du Var communes.
Access
By car: Gonfaron is accessible from the A8 (Le Luc-en-Provence exit) at approximately 10 km. Parking available in the village.
By train: Le Luc-en-Provence station (Marseille–Nice line) at 8 km. Taxi or carpooling necessary to Gonfaron.
Free entry
The entire festival is free, with no reservation required for open-access activities. Children's workshops require prior (free) registration by email to [email protected], specifying the workshop name, time, participant's first name, last name, age, and commune. Maximum two workshops per child.
Book Festival Weekend Hours
Saturday: 2 PM to 6 PM under the large marquee (meetings, workshops, shows, open-air cinema at 9:30 PM).
Sunday: 10 AM to 6 PM (reading competition, round tables, meetings, workshops, shows).
Contact
Association La revanche de l'âne
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 06 75 69 54 84 (Anaïde der Agobian, president)
Website: www.festivallitterairecoeurduvar.fr
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Where does it take place — Cœur du Var Literary Festival
Centre du village de Gonfaron (place, grand chapiteau, Cercle des Travailleurs)
Centre-ville, 83590 Gonfaron