Étonnants Voyageurs

Étonnants Voyageurs 2026 — May 23 to 25 in Saint-Malo

The 36th edition of the international book and film festival takes place from Friday, May 23 to Monday, May 25, 2026 in Saint-Malo. The festival extends to 12 locations in the city (Palais du Grand Large, Maupertuis hall, Chateaubriand theater, La Grande Passerelle media library, Le Vauban cinema, etc.) and also invests the districts of Intra-Muros, Saint-Servan, Marne Éveil, and Paramé.

Pierre Lemaitre, guest of honor

The writer Pierre Lemaitre, winner of the 2013 Goncourt Prize, is the special guest of this edition. He will participate in several meetings with readers, in connection with the release of his new novel Les Belles Promesses (Calmann-Lévy, 2026), which concludes his cycle on the Trente Glorieuses.

Lebanon in the spotlight

Lebanon is the guest country for this 36th edition. Through meetings, screenings, readings, and performances, the festival highlights the vitality of contemporary Lebanese creation and the plurality of its voices.

The theme: sagas and long-form narratives

The program gives a central place to serial forms and sagas, in a context of renewed long-form narratives. Contemporary novels are increasingly written in cycles: dystopias, political frescoes, romance (romance authors are invited to the festival for the first time).

An international lineup

Nearly 180 authors and artists from Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas are featured in the program, including Kaouther Adimi, Kapka Kassabova, Michael Crummey, Dinaw Mengestu, Donald Ray Pollock, Jón Kalman Stefánsson, Laurent Gaudé, Sorj Chalandon, Éric Vuillard, Louis-Philippe Dalembert, Atiq Rahimi, Maude Simonnot and many others.

A rich program

The festival offers nearly 200 literary cafés and meetings, 50 film and documentary screenings, about thirty readings and performances, a large free book fair of 3,000 m² bringing together authors, publishers, and booksellers, an enhanced dedicated youth program, as well as shows, workshops, and literary walks. Several literary prizes are awarded during the festival (Joseph Kessel, Nicolas Bouvier, Gens de Mer).

Friday, May 23, 2026

• Inaugural ceremony at the Palais du Grand Large
• Opening of the book fair (free)
• Opening of literary cafés, meetings, and screenings in the 12 festival venues
• Cinema evenings at Le Vauban cinema

Saturday, May 24, 2026

• Literary cafés, meetings with authors (Pierre Lemaitre, Kaouther Adimi, Sorj Chalandon, Laurent Gaudé, Éric Vuillard, etc.)
• Intimate literary breakfasts (limited to 8 readers per author, by registration)
• Screenings at Le Vauban cinema and La Grande Passerelle
• Neighborhood literary meetings (free): Sorj Chalandon (Le Livre de Kells), Louis-Philippe Dalembert (Je n'ai jamais dit papa), Maude Simonnot (Le Feu et la Rose), Atiq Rahimi (Kabuliwalla, c'est moi)
• Youth program
• Shows, readings, and performances related to Lebanon (guest country)

Sunday, May 25, 2026

• Continuation of literary cafés and meetings
• Awarding of the Joseph Kessel, Nicolas Bouvier, and Gens de Mer literary prizes
• Last film and documentary screenings
• Closing of the book fair and the festival

Hour-by-hour program and festival magazine downloadable in PDF on the official website (etonnants-voyageurs.com).

• 36th edition of the international book and film festival
• Pierre Lemaitre, guest of honor
• Lebanon, guest country
• Theme: sagas and serial forms in contemporary novels
• Nearly 180 authors from around the world
• 250 meetings, 50 films and documentaries, 30 readings and performances
• Large free book fair of 3,000 m²
• Dedicated youth program and free childcare for families
• 12 venues across the city of Saint-Malo

Practical Information

Location

Saint-Malo (35400), Ille-et-Vilaine. Palais du Grand Large and various locations in the city.

Access

Saint-Malo is accessible by TGV high-speed train and by road.

Prices

Prices to be consulted on the official website.

Contact

Official website: etonnants-voyageurs.com