Faites Lire !
The free festival of reading in all its forms in Le Mans
About Faites Lire
Heir to the legendary 25th Hour of the Book founded in 1978, Faites Lire! is the major reading festival in Le Mans. Every autumn, between Place de la République and Esplanade des Jacobins, the Rue du Livre comes alive with over 200 authors, dozens of writing workshops, readings aloud, shows, and literary encounters. Entirely free, this unmissable event celebrates all forms of reading – novels, essays, children's literature, comics, manga, comics – at the foot of the Saint-Julien Cathedral, in a festive and popular atmosphere.
Travel to this festival
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Faites Lire ! : The Reading Festival in the Heart of Le Mans
Born in 2021 from the transformation of La 25e Heure du Livre, one of the oldest book fairs in France founded in 1978, the Faites Lire ! festival has reinvented tradition while preserving the spirit of conviviality and sharing that made its illustrious predecessor famous. Supported by the City of Le Mans and the association Of Course Le Mans, the festival transforms the historic city center into a huge open-air literary village every autumn.
An Open-Air Literary Trail
The festival is organized around the Rue du Livre, a pedestrian path connecting Place de la République to the Esplanade des Jacobins. On Place des Jacobins, general literature enthusiasts discover novels and essays, while Place de la République showcases youth literature, comics, American comics, and manga. In between, the Rue du Livre connects the spaces in a joyful and lively atmosphere.
Over 200 Authors and a Rich Program
Each edition hosts over 200 authors, including about fifty in children's literature and thirty in comics. The program combines readings aloud, writing workshops, shows, exhibitions, round tables, literary prize ceremonies, and a grand dictation. Bookstores, museums, and libraries in Le Mans also participate in the celebration with encounters and signings throughout the week.
A 100% Free Festival Open to All
Faites Lire! stands out for its total freeness: all activities, encounters, and events are free to access. This open policy makes the festival a truly popular event, attracting families, schoolchildren, bibliophiles, and the curious in a joyful celebration of reading in all its forms.
Faites Lire — edition 2026
Faites Lire! 2026 will be held from September 28 to October 4 in Le Mans. A full week of literary festivities with the grand book fair on the final weekend, over 200 authors expected, readings aloud, writing workshops, shows, and encounters with free and open access.
2026 Edition — September 28 to October 4
The Faites Lire! festival returns for a new edition from September 28 to October 4, 2026. For a week, the city center of Le Mans will transform into a large literary village with events in bookstores, libraries, and museums.
The Book Fair on the final weekend will host over 200 authors on the Rue du Livre, between Place de la République and Esplanade des Jacobins. General literature, youth literature, comics, manga, American comics: all genres will be represented. Admission remains completely free.
Prices Faites Lire 2026
Practical information — Faites Lire
Access
The festival takes place outdoors in the city center of Le Mans, between Place de la République and the Esplanade des Jacobins, along the Rue du Livre (72000 Le Mans).
By tram: Line T1, République or Jacobins stop.
By car: City center parking lots (Jacobins, République).
On foot: 10 minutes from Le Mans SNCF train station.
Prices
Free admission for all activities, encounters, and shows.
Opening Hours
Book Fair: Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. Cultural program throughout the week.
Contact
Official website: www.faiteslire.fr
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — Faites Lire
Centre-ville du Mans — Rue du Livre
Place de la République, 72000 Le Mans