Festival du Livre de Mouans-Sartoux
The biggest literary event on the French Riviera, humanist and free
2026
About Festival du Livre
Festival du Livre — edition 2026
The 39th edition of the Mouans-Sartoux Book Festival takes place from October 2nd to 4th, 2026, at the Centre Culturel des Cèdres, under the theme "The world is worth it!"—a call to commit to humanity and the living world. The program features interviews and debates with François Hollande, Guillaume Musso, Franck Thilliez, Kamel Daoud, Lilian Thuram, and Edwy Plenel. La Martinière Jeunesse is this year's guest of honor for youth literature.
The festival is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and admission is free. Friday, October 2nd, kicks off with two professional meetings at the media library and the presentation of the "Les Pichouns s'affichent" award. The official inauguration will take place on Saturday, October 3rd, at 7:00 PM on the main literary stage.
Interviews will be held on the literary stage, at the Café Beaux Livres, the Bistrot des auteurs, and the La Strada cinema, which also hosts debates and film screenings. Three exhibitions will be on display from Friday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM: a science-fiction comic book exhibition, a youth exhibition by Athizes, and "Oh' animaux !" at the media library. The Espace de l'Art Concret is open for free throughout the three days; its exhibition "Amitié choisie : François Morellet et la collection Albers-Honegger" runs until November 22, 2026.
Free debates and performances are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with tickets distributed on-site 30 minutes before the start time. Paid film screenings at La Strada cinema cost 5,50 € (tickets on sale starting September 30, 2026); paid performances can be booked at the festival box office.
Highlights Festival du Livre 2026
- 2026 Theme: "The world is worth it!"
- Keynote interview and book signing with François Hollande, Friday, October 2nd at 4:30 PM
- Interviews with Guillaume Musso (Saturday, 2:00 PM), Franck Thilliez, Kamel Daoud, Lilian Thuram, and Edwy Plenel
- Performance by Christophe Alévêque, Saturday, October 3rd at 3:30 PM
- Mathias Malzieu's musical reading "Un Noël sur la Lune", Saturday, October 3rd at 4:00 PM
- Free literary concert "Divertimento" by Bartók, performed by the Orchestre National de Cannes, Friday, October 2nd at 7:00 PM
- La Martinière Jeunesse, guest of honor for youth literature
- Presentation of the Book for the Planet award, Sunday, October 4th at 11:00 AM
Programme Festival du Livre 2026
Ongoing, from Friday, October 2nd to Sunday, October 4th
- 10 am–7 pm — Festival opening, free admission · Centre Culturel des Cèdres and surrounding area
- 10 am–7 pm — Comic book exhibition – Science Fiction Comics: Dreaming the World · Espace D
- 10 am–7 pm — Youth exhibition – Athizes: What if we changed the world? From “That’s not fair!” to “It’s possible” · Espace D
- 10 am–7 pm — Exhibition – Oh, Animals! · Médiathèque
Friday, October 2nd, 2026
- 10 am–12 pm — Professional meeting – La Martinière Jeunesse: A catalog that listens to the world · Médiathèque
- 10:30 am–11:30 am — Pichouns Prize ceremony · Scène littéraire
- 1:30 pm–3:30 pm — Professional meeting – The Book Festival: Behind the scenes · Médiathèque
- 3 pm–4 pm — Theatrical reading by B. msellati · Café Beaux Livres
- 3 pm–4 pm — Interview – “For Wallâda, is every literary genre ‘Poetry’?” · Scène littéraire
- 4 pm–4:20 pm — Interview – Jean-Pierre Cendron · “Something absent that haunts me” · Café Beaux Livres
- 4 pm–4:15 pm — Presentation of the Athizes youth favorite · Scène littéraire
- 4:15 pm–4:30 pm — Interview – Bernard Deloupy · “Travel, travel” · Scène littéraire
- 4:30 pm–4:50 pm — Interview – Katy Rémy and Véronique Champollion · “Noises and metaphors” · Café Beaux Livres · free
- 4:30 pm–5 pm — Major interview and book signing – François Hollande · “Uniting: New world, new left” · Scène littéraire
- 5 pm–5:15 pm — Interview – Christian Sardet · “Cells: A history of life” · Scène littéraire
- 5 pm–5:30 pm — Interview – Dominique Lin · “The Sugar of the Oreillettes” · Café Beaux Livres
- 5:15 pm–5:30 pm — Interview – Gisèle Durero-Koseoglu · “The Georgian Sultana” · Scène littéraire
- 5:30 pm–5:45 pm — Presentation of the guest of honor youth publisher, La Martinière · Scène littéraire
- 5:45 pm–6 pm — Interview – JR Dos Santos · “The Sixth Sense” · Scène littéraire
- 6 pm–7 pm — Debate “The colonial codes of the past are still in effect” – Pascal Blanchard, Jean Viard · Cinéma La Strada Room 1 · free
- 6 pm–8 pm — Film “I’m willing (algorithms and RSA)” followed by a debate · Cinéma La Strada Room 2 · Price: €5.50
- 6 pm–7:45 pm — Film “Let’s dare Cape Verde, beyond differences” followed by a debate · Cinéma La Strada Room 3 · free
- 6 pm–8 pm — Film “Land Raiders” followed by a debate · Cinéma La Strada Room 5 · Price: €5.50
- 6 pm–6:30 pm — Coquelicots gathering · Boulevard
- 7 pm–8:30 pm — Literary concert “Divertimento” · Parc du Château · free
- 8:30 pm–10:30 pm — Film “From Resistance to Resilience” followed by a debate · Cinéma La Strada Room 1 · Price: €5.50
Saturday, October 3rd, 2026
- 10:00–10:15 AM — Interview – Jacques Alessandra · “Les ombres de Cimiez” · Literary Stage
- 10:00–10:45 AM — Interview – Silvan Chabaud · “Trobadors e Occitania” · Fine Books Café
- 10:00–10:45 AM — Kids’ Corner – Romain Lubière “Dis c’est quoi le bonheur ?” · Kids’ Corner, Media Library
- 10:15–10:30 AM — Interview – Franck Thilliez · “L’autre moi” · Literary Stage
- 10:30–10:45 AM — Interview – Philippe Pointereau · “Changer le monde à chaque repas : un nouveau pacte entre agriculteurs et citoyens” · Literary Stage
- 10:30 AM–12:30 PM — Film “L’Amérique en guerre” followed by a discussion · Cinéma La Strada Room 2 · free
- 10:30 AM–12:15 PM — Film “Agrotopie : Réinventer l’agriculture voyage chez les pionniers” followed by a discussion · Cinéma La Strada Room 3 · free
- 10:30–11:30 AM — Children’s storytelling “Au petit bonheur la chance” by Hélène Beuvin and Sophie Verdier · Cinéma La Strada Room 4 · ages 5+ · Price: €3 (excluding booking fees)
- 10:30 AM–12:30 PM — Workshop: Tribute to Michel Butor by Sofia Gali · Salle Léo Lagrange · free
- 10:45–11:00 AM — Interview – Catherine Verlaguet & Nathalie Papin · “Théâtre jeunesse” · Literary Stage
- 10:45–11:00 AM — Interview – Brigitte Dubicki · “Louna – 1 Au pays des étoiles” · Fine Books Café
- 11:00–11:30 AM — Interview – Frédéric Boyer · Fine Books Café
- 11:00–11:15 AM — Interview – Philippe Besson · “La première phrase du premier livre” · Literary Stage
- 11:00–11:45 AM — Kids’ Corner – Chrysostome Gourio: “Vasco pirate malgré lui” · Kids’ Corner, Media Library
- 11:15–11:30 AM — Interview – Jean-Michel Sananes · “Derniers paramètres de la conscience” · Literary Stage
- 11:30–11:45 AM — Interview – Mo Malo · “Nuna” · Literary Stage
- 11:30 AM–1:00 PM — Film “Concierto Barroco, La Havane 2024” followed by a discussion · Cinéma La Strada Room 5 · free
- 11:30 AM–12:00 PM — Poetry reading “Les Mots d’Azur” by Marie-Christine Ottini & Michèle Justrabo · Fine Books Café
- 11:30 AM–12:30 PM — Performance “R.Onde.s” – Palais des Festivals de Cannes, Cie Dernière minute · Lavoir · free
- 11:45 AM–12:00 PM — Interview – Lumir Lapray · “S’organiser : reprendre le pouvoir, mode d’emploi” · Literary Stage
- 12:00–12:30 PM — Interview – Marie-Christine Lemayeur & Bernard Alunni · “Sur les sentiers insolites et historiques des Alpes-Maritimes” · Fine Books Café
- 12:00–12:15 PM — Interview – Jean Siccardi · “Lorenzo” · Literary Stage
- 12:15–12:30 PM — Interview – Lauriane Bordenave · “Donut girl” · Literary Stage
- 12:30–12:45 PM — Interview – Thomas Gunzig · “Spectres” · Literary Stage
- 12:45–1:00 PM — Interview – Étymocurieux · “La curieuse histoire des mots” · Literary Stage
- 1:00–1:15 PM — Interview – Abdennour Bidar & Inès Weber · “Le témoin : conseils pour l’exercice spirituel au quotidien” · Literary Stage
- 1:15–1:30 PM — Interview – Delphine Giraud · “Ceux que nous serons” · Literary Stage
- 1:30–1:45 PM — Interview – Olivier Grondeau · “Joseph dans la nuit” · Literary Stage
- 1:30–2:00 PM — Reading – Patrick Quillier “Être impersonnel dans l’inachevé de Pessoa” · Fine Books Café
- 1:45–2:00 PM — Interview – Laura Sibony · “Fantasia” · Literary Stage
- 2:00–3:00 PM — Interview – Guillaume Musso · “Le crime du paradis” · Cinéma La Strada Room 1
- 2:00–3:00 PM — Interview – Philippe Meirieu · “Parions sur l’école et l’éducation” · Cinéma La Strada Room 2
- 2:00–3:00 PM — Debate “La retraite à 13 ans” – Susie Morgenstern and her grandson Sacha · Cinéma La Strada Room 3
- 2:00–3:30 PM — Debate “Ces pesticides nous empoisonnent !” – Gilles Clément, Mickaël Derangeon and Marie-Monique Robin · Cinéma La Strada Room 4
- 2:00–3:00 PM — Performance “Ce que j’appelle oubli” – Théâtre de Grasse, Cie Il va s’en dire · Cinéma La Strada Room 5 · ages 13+ · free
- 2:00–2:30 PM — Interview – Aline Victor (LSF Patrick Gache) · “Je suis née aidante” · Fine Books Café
- 2:00–2:15 PM — Interview – Mathias Malzieu · “Un Noël sur la lune” · Literary Stage
- 2:00–3:00 PM — Performance “Le livre improvisé” – Cie Nivus Niconnus · Educational Workshops · ages 6+ · free
- 2:00–4:00 PM — Slam writing workshops, SLAMSOL · Salle du CCAS · free
- 2:00–2:45 PM — Kids’ Corner – Christian Heinrich: “Les petites poules” · Kids’ Corner, Media Library
- 2:15–2:30 PM — Interview – Bernard Werber · “Au bord du monde” · Literary Stage
- 2:30–2:45 PM — Interview – Gilles Kepel · “Pèlerinage français : comprendre les failles de notre identité” · Literary Stage
- 2:30–3:30 PM — Interview – Franck Thilliez · Château Park
- 2:30–3:00 PM — Presentation “Le vénérable mélèze” – Gilles Mottet and Éditions de l’Arboretum · Fine Books Café
- 2:45–3:00 PM — Interview – Pascal Blanchard · “Doit-on s’excuser de la colonisation ?” · Literary Stage
- 3:00–4:00 PM — Interview – Pascal Boniface · “Géostrategix : Chine-Etats-Unis” · Cinéma La Strada Room 1
- 3:00–4:00 PM — Interview – Frédéric Pommier · “Derrière les arbres” · Cinéma La Strada Room 2
- 3:00–4:00 PM — Debate “De polars en thrillers” – Jérémie Claes, Ian Manook, Michèle Pedinielli and Sonja Delzongle · Cinéma La Strada Room 3
- 3:00–4:00 PM — Interview – Fatima Besnaci Lancou · “Familles de Harkis à Mouans-Sartoux” · Cinéma La Strada Room 5
- 3:00–3:30 PM — Interview “Changeons de paysage ! L’Embellie écologique” – Florence Hausard, Sébastien Giorgis, Caroline Mollie · Fine Books Café
- 3:00–3:10 PM — Interview – Giulia Foïs · “Les filles de la librairie” · Literary Stage
- 3:00–3:30 PM — Workshop “A la découverte du livre d’artiste” – EAC · Espace de l’Art Concret · free
- 3:00–4:00 PM — Performance “R.Onde.s” – Palais des Festivals de Cannes, Cie Dernière minute · Lavoir · free
- 3:00–5:00 PM — Workshop: Tribute to Michel Butor by Sofia Gali · Salle Léo Lagrange · free
- 3:00–3:45 PM — Kids’ Corner – Nadine Brun-Cosme: “Tom et moi” · Kids’ Corner, Media Library
- 3:10–3:20 PM — Interview – Kamel Daoud · “Houris” · Literary Stage
- 3:20–3:30 PM — Interview – Mélina Huet · “Contre la guerre” · Literary Stage
- 3:30–5:00 PM — Performance by Christophe Alévêque · Cinéma La Strada Room 4 · Price: €12 advance / €15 at the door / €20 support price (excluding booking fees)
- 3:30–3:45 PM — Interview – Rémy Marion · “La sirène et le botaniste : rendez-vous en Sibérie sauvage” · Literary Stage
- 3:30–4:30 PM — Interview – Lilian Thuram · “Notre histoire : les étoiles d’un champion du monde” · Château Park
- 3:30–3:50 PM — Interview – Hervé Grimal · “Impressions de Voyage : Perse – Iran, un trait d’union entre l’Orient et l’Occident” · Fine Books Café
- 3:30–4:30 PM — Reading “L’orphelin de l’infini” – Nathalie Papin, ERACM · Donation de l’EAC · ages 8+ · free
- 3:30–4:00 PM — Interview – Bérénice Pichat · “Un marché noir” · Authors’ Bistro · Romi Carré d’Art
- 3:30–4:30 PM — Marching band · Boulevard
- 3:45–4:00 PM — Interview – Valentin Musso · “Le domaine aux secrets” · Literary Stage
- 4:00–5:00 PM — Concert reading by Mathias Malzieu · Concert reading “Un Noël sur la Lune” with Mike Ponton · ages 6+ · Price: €12 advance / €15 at the door / €20 support price
- 4:00–5:00 PM — Interview – Philippe Besson · “La première phrase du premier livre” · Cinéma La Strada Room 2
- 4:00 PM–5:00 PM — Debate: "How will we inhabit the Earth in 2050?" – Jean Viard and Joël Guiot (CNRS) · Cinéma La Strada Room 3
- 4:00 PM–5:00 PM — Interview – Stéphanie Duncan (LSF Patrick Gache) · "Espions : une histoire vraie" · Cinéma La Strada Room 5
- 4:00 PM–4:30 PM — Tribute to Daniel Schmitt · Café Beaux Livres
- 4:00 PM–4:15 PM — Interview – Jeanne Siaud-Facchin · "Ma bible du haut potentiel intellectuel" · Literary Stage
- 4:00 PM–4:30 PM — Juggling by Cie Little Garden Fabrizio Solinas · Educational Workshops · ages 5+ · free
- 4:00 PM–4:30 PM — Interview – Pierre Ducrozet · "Eden" · Authors' Bistro · Romi Carré d’Art
- 4:00 PM–4:45 PM — Kids' Corner – Amandine Delaunay: "Cétacés" · Kids' Corner, Media Library
- 4:15 PM–4:30 PM — Interview – Robert Guédiguian, Marilou Aussilloux & Jean-Pierre Darroussin* · "Une femme aujourd’hui" · Literary Stage
- 4:30 PM–6:00 PM — Debate: "America and the rest of the world" – Pascal Blanchard and Mo Malo · Castle Park
- 4:30 PM–5:00 PM — Presentation: "Committing to resist" – Amnesty International · Café Beaux Livres
- 4:30 PM–4:45 PM — Interview – Catherine Vidal · Literary Stage
- 4:45 PM–5:00 PM — Interview – Chantal Thomas · "Femmes sur fond azur" · Literary Stage
- 5:00 PM–5:30 PM — Guided exhibition tour: "Chosen Friendship: François Morellet and the Albers-Honegger collection" · Espace de l’Art Concret · Donation Albers-Honegger · free
- 5:00 PM–6:00 PM — Interview – Gilles Kepel · "Pèlerinage français : comprendre les failles de notre identité" · Cinéma La Strada Room 1
- 5:00 PM–6:00 PM — Debate: "Virilism, the new offensive against women" – Pierre Gault, Giulia Foïs and Chloé Thibaud · Cinéma La Strada Room 2
- 5:00 PM–6:00 PM — Interview – Benoît Peeters · "Les cités obscures" · Cinéma La Strada Room 3
- 5:00 PM–6:00 PM — Interview – Kamel Daoud · "Houris" · Cinéma La Strada Room 5
- 5:00 PM–5:20 PM — Interview – Bernard Deloupy · "Addiction" · Café Beaux Livres
- 5:00 PM–5:15 PM — Interview – Thierry Vimal · "Fontaine Duval com-boy" · Literary Stage
- 5:00 PM–5:45 PM — Anthéa "Cie Nuage Fou" Strange Tales – Guillaume Geoffroy · Educational Workshops · ages 8+ · free
- 5:00 PM–5:45 PM — Kids' Corner – Géraldine Collet: "Une souris Berthe" · Kids' Corner, Media Library
- 5:15 PM–5:30 PM — Interview – Catherine Bardon · "Un rêve immense" · Literary Stage
- 5:30 PM–5:45 PM — Interview – Laure Manel and Clarisse Sabard · "Feel-good stories" · Literary Stage
- 5:30 PM–6:30 PM — Danced and illustrated reading: "Vers la Violence" – Blandine Rinkel, Marguerite Boulanger and Clément Gyselinck · Cinéma La Strada Room 4 · free
- 5:30 PM–6:00 PM — Roundtable – Camille de Decker and Marie-Sophie Charpentier · "Witnessing, detecting, protecting: when intimacy and technology intersect" · Café Beaux Livres
- 5:30 PM–6:30 PM — Slam performance – Djajah Luc and SLAMSOL · Boulevard
- 6:00 PM–7:30 PM — Audio-only film: "Un mariage à Lyon" followed by a debate · Cinéma La Strada Room 2 · Price: €5.50
- 6:00 PM–7:45 PM — Film: "À perte de vue" followed by a debate · Cinéma La Strada Room 3 · free
- 6:00 PM–7:00 PM — Concert reading: "Tout respire avec tout" – Patrick Quillier, Miquéu Montanaro · Cinéma La Strada Room 5 · free
- 6:00 PM–6:30 PM — Interview – Benoît Cossa · "Recettes de Pays" · Café Beaux Livres
- 6:00 PM–6:15 PM — Interview – Pascal Boniface · "Géostratégix : Chine-Etats-Unis" · Literary Stage
- 6:15 PM–6:30 PM — Interview – Olivier Barde-Cabuçon · "Le procès du rhinocéros blanc" · Literary Stage
- 6:30 PM–6:45 PM — Interview – Frédéric Pommier · "Derrière les arbres" · Literary Stage
- 6:45 PM–7:00 PM — Interview – Ernest Pignon-Ernest · "Ombres de Naples" · Literary Stage
- 7:00 PM–10:00 PM — Red carpet evening – Film: "Une Femme aujourd’hui" with the director and cast in attendance, followed by a debate · Cinéma La Strada Room 1 · Price: €5.50
- 7:00 PM–7:30 PM — Festival opening ceremony with special guests · Literary Stage
- 8:00 PM–9:15 PM — Performance: "Prom 14", Cie Dire-Dire based on the book by Thierry Vimal · Cinéma La Strada Room 4 · Price: advance €12* / at the door €15 / support price €20
Sunday, October 4th, 2026
- 10:00–10:15 AM — Interview – Pierre Gault · “Dans la peau d’un mascu” · Literary Stage
- 10:00–10:45 AM — Kids’ Corner – Sébastien Chebret: “5 petits moutons gloutons” · Kids’ Corner, Media Library
- 10:00 AM–7:00 PM — Vinyl Clearance · The Boulevard
- 10:15–10:30 AM — Interview – Chloé Thibaud · “Pourquoi les hommes ont peur des femmes” · Literary Stage
- 10:30–11:30 AM — Illustrated Concert with Peggy Nille · Cinéma La Strada, Room 4 · Ages 3+ · Price: €5 (plus booking fees)
- 10:30–10:45 AM — Interview – Patrick Michel (CNRS) · “La défense planétaire contre les astéroïdes” · Literary Stage
- 10:30 AM–12:30 PM — Workshop: Tribute to Michel Butor by Sofia Gali · Salle Léo Lagrange · Free
- 10:30–11:00 AM — Interview – Virginie Broquet · “L’affaire Spaggiari” · Café Beaux Livres
- 10:45–11:00 AM — Interview – Jérémie Claes · “Cavillore” · Literary Stage
- 11:00 AM–12:30 PM — Debate: “Changing our plates for the climate!” – Clotilde Bato, Jérémy Camus, Philippe Pointereau, and Gilles Perole · Cinéma La Strada, Room 1
- 11:00 AM–12:30 PM — Film: “Mères anonymes” followed by a debate · Cinéma La Strada, Room 3 · Free
- 11:00 AM–12:20 PM — Film: “Comment naît un livre?” followed by a debate · Cinéma La Strada, Room 5 · Free
- 11:00–11:20 AM — Interview – Patrice Delbourg and Michel Joyard · “Mémoire Sentinelle” · Café Beaux Livres
- 11:00–11:30 AM — Award Ceremony: Prix du Livre Engagé Pour la Planète with Botanic and Nice Matin · Literary Stage
- 11:00–11:45 AM — Kids’ Corner – Malou Ravella & Florence Schumpp: “Barnabé, l’inconnu de la forêt” · Kids’ Corner, Media Library
- 11:30 AM–12:30 PM — Debate: “Repression and political detention” – Pinar Selek (CNRS), Olivier Grondeau · Cinéma La Strada, Room 2
- 11:30 AM–12:00 PM — Poetry Recital: “Les Mots d’Azur” by Alexia Aubert and Philippe Molino · Café Beaux Livres
- 11:30–11:45 AM — Interview – Michèle Pedinielli · “Un seul œil” · Literary Stage
- 11:45 AM–12:00 PM — Interview – Thomas Cantaloube · “Les Mouettes” · Literary Stage
- 11:45 AM–12:15 PM — Tribute to Edgar Morin by John Mejia · Entrance to Space D
- 12:00–12:30 PM — Interview – Bertrand Roussel and Frédéric Boyer · “Les principaux lieux du patrimoine historique entre Antibes et le pays grassois” · Café Beaux Livres
- 12:00–12:15 PM — Interview – Bérénice Pichat · “Un marché noir” · Literary Stage
- 12:15–12:30 PM — Interview – Jérôme Loubry · “Le garçon éternel” · Literary Stage
- 12:45–1:00 PM — Interview – Sonja Delzongle · “La gardienne” · Literary Stage
- 1:00–1:15 PM — Interview – Philippe Meirieu · “Parions sur l’école et l’éducation” · Literary Stage
- 1:15–1:30 PM — Interview – Michel Mouze · “La possibilité d’une aile” · Literary Stage
- 1:30–1:45 PM — Interview – Edwy Plenel · “La démocratie n’est pas l’élection” · Literary Stage
- 1:30–2:30 PM — Interview – Boris Cyrulnik · “Décivilisation” · Cinéma La Strada, Room 1
- 1:30–2:30 PM — Interview – Bernard Werber · Cinéma La Strada, Room 4
- 1:30–2:00 PM — Interview – Éditions L’amourier · “Marcher dans la blessure” · Café Beaux Livres
- 1:45–2:00 PM — Interview – Joël Guiot · “Disparaitre… ou pas : une enquête paléoclimatique” · Literary Stage
- 2:00–3:00 PM — Interview – JR Dos Santos · Cinéma La Strada, Room 2
- 2:00–3:00 PM — Interview – Abdellah Taïa · Cinéma La Strada, Room 3
- 2:00–3:00 PM — Interview – Abdennour Bidar · Cinéma La Strada, Room 5
- 2:00–3:00 PM — Interview – Pierre-Marc de Biasi and Priscillia Leal Torres · “Le livre comme œuvre” · Espace de l’Art Concret · Donation Albers-Honegger
- 2:00–2:30 PM — Music and Poetry – Henri Baviera and Philippe Molino · Café Beaux Livres
- 2:00–2:45 PM — Kids’ Corner – Lilately: “Nous sommes la montagne” · Kids’ Corner, Media Library
- 2:15–2:30 PM — Interview – Ian Manook · “La glaise et le feu” · Literary Stage
- 2:30–3:00 PM — Guided Tour: “Les résidents de la Fondation Josef & Anni Albers” · Espace de l’Art Concret · Donation Albers-Honegger · Free
- 2:30–2:45 PM — Interview – Stéphanie Duncan · “Espions en guerre” · Literary Stage
- 2:30–3:30 PM — Interview – François Gemenne · “Parler du climat sans plomber l’atmosphère” · Cinéma La Strada, Room 1
- 2:30–4:00 PM — Debate: “Middle East, extreme tension” – Pascal Boniface, Mélina Huet, Edwy Plenel, and Gilles Kepel · Château Park
- 2:30–3:00 PM — Tribute to engraver and poet Gérard Pons by Claude Artès · Café Beaux Livres
- 2:30–3:30 PM — Slam Performance: GEMA06, Maskit · The Boulevard · Free
- 3:00–4:00 PM — Interview – Jeanne Siaud-Facchin · “Ma bible du haut potentiel intellectuel” · Cinéma La Strada, Room 2
- 3:00–4:00 PM — Interview – Catherine Vidal · Cinéma La Strada, Room 3
- 3:00–4:00 PM — Illustrated Dance Concert: “Corps graphique” – Edmond Baudoin, Zoé Lecorgne, Davy Sur, Cie Pieds-nus · Cinéma La Strada, Room 4 · Price: €12 adults / €8 children (plus booking fees)
- 3:00–4:00 PM — Interview – Chantal Thomas · “Femmes sur fond azur” · Cinéma La Strada, Room 5
- 3:00–3:30 PM — Interview – Diane Brunel · “La Course des Vagues” · Café Beaux Livres
- 3:00–3:15 PM — Interview – Virginie Parée · “Écoute ta peau” · Literary Stage
- 3:00–3:45 PM — Reading: “Je voulais juste jouer au foot” – By Catherine Verlaguet · Forum Jacques Prévert · Educational Workshops · Ages 8+ · Free
- 3:00–5:00 PM — Workshop: Tribute to Michel Butor by Sofia Gali · Salle Léo Lagrange · Free
- 3:00–3:45 PM — Kids’ Corner – Chrysostome Gourio: “Vasco pirate malgré lui” · Kids’ Corner, Media Library
- 3:15–3:30 PM — Interview – René Fregni · “Marseille : sur les pas d’une œuvre” · Literary Stage
- 3:30–4:30 PM — Interview – Ernest Pignon-Ernest · Cinéma La Strada, Room 1
- 3:30–4:00 PM — Interview – Miquèl de Carabatta · “Lo barròco funeral de paure Mèstre Simon-Pèire Sartre e autri nòvas” · Café Beaux Livres
- 3:30–4:00 PM — Interview – Adeline Dieudonné · “Dans la jungle” · Authors’ Bistro · La Cantina Restaurant
- 3:30–3:45 PM — Interview – Marie-Christine Saragosse · “Mer belle à forte au large” · Literary Stage
- 3:30–4:30 PM — Piste d’Azur Circus Fair · The Boulevard
- 3:45–4:00 PM — Interview – Jean Viard · “Une époque redoutable : entre tragédies et révolutions : serons-nous à la hauteur?” · Literary Stage
- 4:00–4:30 PM — Guided Tour: “Virginie Barré – Absolue de rose” · Espace de l’Art Concret · Château · Free
- 4:00–5:00 PM — Interview – Lumir Lapray · “Montée de l’extrême droite, jusqu’où?” · Cinéma La Strada, Room 2
- 4:00–5:00 PM — Interview – Laura Sibony · “Contes et légendes de l’intelligence artificielle” · Cinéma La Strada
- 4:00–6:40 PM — Film: “L’Abandon” followed by a debate · Cinéma La Strada, Room 4 · Price: €5.50
- 4:00–5:00 PM — Interview – Claude Ardid and Nadège Hubert · “Enfance en danger” · Cinéma La Strada, Room 5
- 4:00–5:00 PM — Interview – Marc-André Selosse · Château Park
- 4:00–4:30 PM — Interview – Michel Gourdon · Café Beaux Livres
- 4:00–4:15 PM — Interview – Nicolas Coltice (CNRS) · “Anatomie d’une planète : comment notre corps raconte l’histoire de la Terre” · Literary Stage
- 4:00–4:30 PM — Juggling: Little Garden Cie Fabrizio Solinas · Educational Workshops · Ages 5+ · Free
- 4:00–5:30 PM — One-person show: “Une trop bruyante solitude” by Bohumil Hrabal, performed by Frédéric Faure · Espace de l’Art Concret · Donation Albers-Honegger · Free
- 4:00–4:30 PM — Interview – Catherine Bardon · Authors’ Bistro · La Cantina Restaurant
- 4:00–4:45 PM — Kids’ Corner – Surprise readings by Nelly · Kids’ Corner, Media Library
- 4:15–4:30 PM — Interview – Delphine Batho · “La politique de la beauté : une nouvelle écologie” · Literary Stage
- 4:30–4:45 PM — Interview – Julieta Quesada · “C’est grave docteur?” · Literary Stage
- 4:30–5:00 PM — Interview – Marie-Christine Lemayeur · “Les plantes sauvages dans les Alpes-Maritimes” · Café Beaux Livres
- 4:45–5:00 PM — Interview – Carine Pitocchi · “Cosy Christmas mystery. Vol.4. Disparition sur le lac Nasser” · Literary Stage
- 5:00–6:00 PM — Interview – Delphine Batho · Cinéma La Strada, Room 2
- 5:00–6:00 PM — Debate: “Listening to autistic people to better support them” – Alexis Leclaire, Maxime Vindrier, and Coline · Cinéma La Strada, Room 3
- 5:00–6:00 PM — Interview – Edwy Plenel · Château Park
- 5:00–5:30 PM — Presentation: Publishing House “Contexte Manifeste” · Café Beaux Livres
- 5:00–5:15 PM — Interview – Pinar Selek · “Lever la tête – La recherche interdite sur la résistance kurde” · Literary Stage
- 5:15–5:30 PM — Interview – Olympia Alberti · “Promenade des Anglais” · Literary Stage
- 5:30–5:45 PM — Interview – Sylvie Osman (Cie Arketal) · “Matières à vivre ou Le chemin d’Arketal” · Literary Stage
- 5:30–7:30 PM — Film: “Mémoire de fille” by Judith Godrèche · Cinéma La Strada, Room 5 · Price: €5.50
- 5:45–6:00 PM — Interview – Lionel Paoli · “Jacqueline et Marcel Pagnol, une histoire intime” · Literary Stage
- 6:00–6:30 PM — Presentation: “Bal littéraire” in collaboration with Scène 55 · Literary Stage
- 6:00–7:40 PM — Film: “La Pie Voleuse” by Robert Guédiguian · Cinéma La Strada, Room 3 · Price: €5.50
Program published by the organizer on lefestivaldulivre.fr (“subject to change”). Access to free debates and shows is subject to availability, upon presentation of a ticket distributed on-site 30 minutes before the start.
Prices Festival du Livre 2026
Practical information — Festival du Livre
Access
The festival takes place at the Centre Culturel des Cèdres, 77 allée des Cèdres, 06370 Mouans-Sartoux.
- By car: A8 motorway, exit 42 (Mougins/Grasse). Follow signs for Mouans-Sartoux centre.
- By train: Mouans-Sartoux SNCF station (Cannes-Grasse line), a 10-minute walk from the festival.
- By bus: Regular lines from Cannes and Grasse.
Prices
Completely free admission for all activities, meetings, debates, and shows.
Opening Hours
Friday: 10 am-7 pm. Saturday: 10 am-7 pm. Sunday: 10 am-6 pm.
Contact
- Phone: 04 92 92 47 24
- Website: www.lefestivaldulivre.fr
A major literary festival on the French Riviera
The Festival du Livre de Mouans-Sartoux was born in 1988 on the initiative of Marie-Louise Gourdon, deputy mayor for culture of the town of Mouans-Sartoux. Initially dedicated to regional publishing, the event quickly won over an audience far beyond Provence, opening up to national and international publishers. Today, ranked among the most important literary events in France, it welcomes around 50,000 visitors each year — five times the population of the commune.
A humanist and ecological commitment
The festival is distinguished by its resolutely committed positioning. Each edition revolves around a unifying theme that questions major contemporary issues: human rights, climate change, artificial intelligence, social justice. Debates, round tables, and meetings offer a space for civic reflection where authors, intellectuals, and the public exchange freely. Admission is completely free, in line with the desire to make culture accessible to all.
A rich and multidisciplinary program
Beyond the traditional book signings and author meetings, the festival offers a varied program: live performances, screenings of committed films, writing workshops, youth activities, and writer residencies. The "Les Pichouns s'affichent" competition invites young readers to participate actively. Nearly 300 volunteers mobilize each year to ensure the smooth running of this essential event.
In the heart of Mouans-Sartoux
The festival takes over the Centre Culturel des Cèdres and its surroundings, in a warm Provençal setting. Tents, outdoor reading areas, and performance stages transform the town center into a true book village for three days. Its proximity to Cannes, Grasse, and Nice makes it an easily accessible event for all literature lovers in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.
Prestigious guests
Over the years, the festival has hosted many personalities from the literary and intellectual world. Recent guests include Marc Levy, Erik Orsenna, Nancy Huston, Fatima Daas, and Paul Watson. This diversity of authors reflects the festival's openness to all forms of writing and thought.
Where does it take place — Festival du Livre
Festival du Livre in brief
Other festivals near Mouans-Sartoux
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Published by Valentin Contard, festival listings writer. Reviewed, corrected and approved by Christophe Contard, editor-in-chief. .
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