Festival de la Biographie

Nîmes Biography Festival — 24th Edition (2026)

The 24th edition of the Nîmes Biography Festival took place from Friday, January 23 to Sunday, January 25, 2026, with the Carré d'Art Jean Bousquet, opposite the Maison Carrée, as its central venue. The event, with free admission, is organized by the City of Nîmes in partnership with the association of Nîmes booksellers.

This edition was themed "The Biographer: The Importance of Archives", highlighting the research and interpretation of sources carried out by biographers. The honorary presidents were Anca Visdei (playwright and biographer, Goncourt Biography Prize 2025) and Thierry Lentz (director of the Fondation Napoléon).

For three days, nearly 100 authors — historians, biographers, and journalists — met the public through conferences, debates, book signings, readings, concerts, and screenings, distributed between the Carré d'Art and several partner venues in the city: the Théâtre de Nîmes Bernadette Lafont, the cinema Le Sémaphore, the University of Nîmes (Vauban site), Espace 14, and the Novotel Atria. The event welcomes nearly 30,000 visitors each year.

Highlights and Guests

Among the authors present were notably Pierre Assouline, Dominique Bona (Académie française), Sylvain Tesson, and Gilles Kepel. The Prix de la Biographie du Point 2026, whose jury was chaired by Dominique Bona, was awarded to Amos Reichman for Les morts de Raoul Villain (Seuil) and presented during the festival's inauguration.

The program also included a musical reading Mr Gershwin with Susie Morgenstern and pianist Noam Silvy, a jazz-swing concert by the Gala Swing Quartet, as well as youth workshops and film screenings followed by discussions with the authors.

Next Edition

The 25th edition of the Nîmes Biography Festival is already announced for January 29, 30, and 31, 2027.

Friday, January 23, 2026 (2 PM - 7 PM)

• Inauguration of the festival and presentation of the Prix de la Biographie du Point 2026 to Amos Reichman for Les morts de Raoul Villain (Seuil)
• Conferences and first meetings with authors at Carré d'Art Jean Bousquet

Saturday, January 24, 2026 (10 AM - 7 PM)

• Conferences, debates, and book signings with nearly 100 authors (Pierre Assouline, Dominique Bona, Sylvain Tesson, Gilles Kepel…)
• Musical reading Mr Gershwin with Susie Morgenstern and pianist Noam Silvy
• Film screenings followed by discussions with authors · Cinéma Le Sémaphore
• Youth workshop

Sunday, January 25, 2026 (10 AM - 7 PM)

• Continuation of meetings, debates, and book signings in the various partner venues
• Jazz-swing concert by the Gala Swing Quartet
• Screenings and readings

Locations: Carré d'Art Jean Bousquet (central venue), Théâtre de Nîmes Bernadette Lafont, cinema Le Sémaphore, University of Nîmes (Vauban site), Espace 14, Novotel Atria. Detailed program on festivaldelabiographie.com.

• 24th edition, from January 23 to 25, 2026, at Carré d'Art Jean Bousquet
• Theme "The Biographer: The Importance of Archives"
• Nearly 100 authors and approximately 30,000 visitors
• Honorary Presidents: Anca Visdei and Thierry Lentz
• Prix de la Biographie du Point 2026 awarded to Amos Reichman (Les morts de Raoul Villain)
• Completely free event, organized by the City of Nîmes

Practical Information

Location

Central venue: Carré d'Art Jean Bousquet, opposite the Maison Carrée, in Nîmes (30000), Gard. The event also takes place at the Théâtre de Nîmes Bernadette Lafont, the Le Sémaphore cinema, the University of Nîmes (Vauban site), Espace 14, and the Novotel Atria.

Dates

The festival is held annually at the end of January (24th edition on January 23, 24, and 25, 2026; next edition announced for January 29, 30, and 31, 2027).

Prices

Free admission to all festival events.

Contact

Program and information on the official website festivaldelabiographie.com or from the City of Nîmes.