Festival Aux Quatre Coins du Mot
The word celebrated in all its forms in La Charité-sur-Loire
About Aux Quatre Coins du Mot
Aux Quatre Coins du Mot: Twenty Years of Word Celebration in La Charité-sur-Loire
Every year on Ascension weekend, the small town of La Charité-sur-Loire, famous for its Cluniac priory and its antique bookshops, transforms into the capital of the word. Since 2005, the Festival Aux Quatre Coins du Mot has celebrated the richness and diversity of language through a generous program mixing shows, concerts, encounters with authors, exhibitions, writing workshops, and street entertainment.
A City of Words and Books
La Charité-sur-Loire has long been associated with books and writing. A city of books since the 2000s, it is home to numerous bookshops specializing in old and second-hand books. It is in this fertile cultural ground that the festival took root, driven by the Cité du Mot, a Centre Culturel de Rencontre located in the former Cluniac priory, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
A Multifaceted Festival
The festival explores the word in all its diversity: literature, poetry, song, theater, visual arts, performances. Each edition is structured around a theme that guides the programming and invites the public to take a fresh look at words and language. Events unfold in the city's heritage sites: the priory cloister, Notre-Dame church, historic halls, gardens, and public squares.
A Popular and Friendly Event
Conceived as a local festival, Aux Quatre Coins du Mot emphasizes conviviality and accessibility. Many activities are free, allowing everyone to participate in this collective celebration of words. Encounters with authors, participatory workshops, and street performances create a warm and festive atmosphere that makes this Ascension weekend a special moment of cultural sharing.
Growing Influence
Over its twenty editions, the festival has built a loyal audience while attracting new visitors, thus contributing to the cultural and tourist influence of La Charité-sur-Loire and the Nièvre region. It is part of a dynamic network of literary festivals in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and helps to keep literary and artistic creation alive in rural areas.
Aux Quatre Coins du Mot — edition 2026
The 21st edition of the Festival Aux Quatre Coins du Mot took place from Thursday, May 14th to Saturday, May 16th, 2026, in La Charité-sur-Loire, during the Ascension weekend. Under the theme « Paroles données » (Words Given), inspired by Jacques Prévert's collection, this edition offered about sixty events — shows, readings, activities, concerts, meetings, and games — in the heritage sites of the book city.
21st Edition — « Paroles données » (May 14-16, 2026)
From Thursday, May 14th to Saturday, May 16th, 2026, La Charité-sur-Loire celebrated the 21st edition of the Festival Aux Quatre Coins du Mot, during the traditional Ascension weekend. The Cité du Mot, a Cultural Meeting Center located in the former Cluniac priory classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site, hosted this new edition under the theme « Paroles données » (Words Given).
A theme inspired by Jacques Prévert
The 2026 edition was built around Jacques Prévert's collection Paroles, inviting the public to speak not to keep the word but to give it, transmit it, sing it, recite it, write it, and explore it in all its forms. The simplicity and beauty of Prévert's texts accompanied the entire program.
About sixty events
The festival offered about sixty proposals over three days: shows, musical readings, writing workshops, meetings with authors, concerts, screenings, games, and activities for all ages. The events took place in the town's heritage sites — the priory cloister, Notre-Dame church, historic halls, gardens, and public squares — as well as in the old bookshops that make the city unique.
A program for young audiences
A specific « young audience » booklet was published to guide families and children towards the proposals intended for them: readings, workshops, short shows, and games around words.
Accessibility and ticketing
The majority of the festival's proposals were free and open access. Paid shows were accessible by reservation at the Office de Tourisme de La Charité-sur-Loire, online, by phone, or on-site, according to three price grids: tariff A at 18 € (12 € reduced), tariff B at 12 € (8 € reduced), tariff C at 6 € (single tariff). The reduced tariff applied to those under 26, people with disabilities, job seekers, and RSA beneficiaries.
Next edition
The 22nd edition is expected in spring 2027, traditionally during the Ascension weekend. The program will be unveiled beforehand on the Cité du Mot website.
Highlights Aux Quatre Coins du Mot 2026
- 2026 Theme: « Paroles données » (inspired by Jacques Prévert)
- 21st edition of the festival
- About sixty events over 3 days
- Shows, readings, concerts, author meetings, and workshops
- Majority of proposals free and open access
- Young audience booklet dedicated to families
Prices Aux Quatre Coins du Mot 2026
Practical information — Aux Quatre Coins du Mot
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By car: La Charité-sur-Loire is accessible via the A77 motorway (exit 28), about 2.5 hours from Paris and 1 hour from Bourges. Free parking is available in town, notably the Bords de Loire parking and the Prieuré parking. Note that some streets in the historic center are pedestrianized during the festival.
By train: La Charité-sur-Loire station is served by TER trains from Nevers (20 min), Bourges, and connections to Paris-Bercy. The station is a short walk from the historic center and festival venues.
Festival Venues
The festival takes place in the heritage sites of La Charité-sur-Loire:
- Prieuré de La Charité-sur-Loire: UNESCO World Heritage site, cloister and historic halls
- Église Notre-Dame: concerts and shows in an exceptional Romanesque setting
- Exhibition halls and priory gardens: exhibitions, workshops, and activities
- Squares and streets of the historic center: street performances and parades
- Antique bookshops: encounters and book signings
Ticketing
Many activities are free to access. Paid shows are available by reservation online or on-site. Check the Cité du Mot website for prices and booking procedures. Reduced rates are available for groups and families.
Accommodation
La Charité-sur-Loire offers hotels, bed and breakfasts, gîtes, and a campsite. It is strongly advised to book well in advance for Ascension weekend, a very busy period. The Tourist Office can assist you with your search: 03 86 70 15 06.
Food and Drink
Restaurants, brasseries, and cafes in the town center welcome festival-goers. Food stalls are set up during the festival offering local products. The region is known for its goat cheeses, Pouilly-sur-Loire wines, and Loire specialties.
Contact
La Charité-sur-Loire Tourist Office: 5 Place Sainte-Croix, 58400 La Charité-sur-Loire. Tel: 03 86 70 15 06. Cité du Mot: citedumot.fr
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Where does it take place — Aux Quatre Coins du Mot
Prieuré de La Charité-sur-Loire et centre historique
5 Place Sainte-Croix, 58400 La Charité-sur-Loire