Festival du Livre de Paris

From the Salon du Livre to the Festival du Livre de Paris

The story begins in 1981, when the Syndicat national de l'édition (SNE) created the Salon du Livre de Paris under the dome of the Grand Palais. Spearheaded by Jean-Paul Gisserot and Frédéric Ditis, founder of J'ai Lu, the event was inaugurated by Jack Lang, Minister of Culture. The ambition was to showcase the entirety of French editorial production and to open, for a few days, 'the world's largest bookstore'. After migrating to Porte de Versailles for several decades, the event was transformed in 2022 into the Festival du Livre de Paris, returning to the Grand Palais with a renewed format, more open, more festive, and focused on encounters between authors and readers.

The Grand Palais, a setting for literature

Since its return to the Grand Palais, on avenue Winston-Churchill in the 8th arrondissement, the Festival du Livre de Paris benefits from an exceptional setting. Under the monumental glass roof, the aisles are organized around thematic spaces: publisher stands, debate stages, signing areas, immersive exhibitions, and youth zones. The festival stands out for its ability to blend literature with other disciplines—visual arts, gastronomy, music—in a spirit of popular and intellectual celebration.

2025 Edition: Literature in Celebration

The 2025 edition of the Festival du Livre de Paris was held from April 11 to 13, 2025, at the Grand Palais. Over 450 publishing houses were present, with a thousand authors for meetings and signings. The program included over 400 events: round tables, exhibitions, workshops for children and adults, and the now traditional Culinary Night on Friday evening, where literature and culinary arts dialogue in a unique atmosphere.

2026 Edition: Travel and Comics in the Spotlight

The 6th edition of the Festival du Livre de Paris takes place from April 17 to 19, 2026, at the Grand Palais, with the theme 'Travel'—literary, inner, geographical journeys, migrations, and sensory experiences. Comics are the guest of honor for this edition, with a dedicated program celebrating the ninth art in all its forms. The Friday evening Culinary Night is renewed, offering a unique experience blending literature, culinary arts, and table arts.

A Popular and Engaged Festival

The Festival du Livre de Paris is distinguished by its commitment to accessibility: admission is free for under-twenty-fives with advance booking, and the price remains modest for other visitors (€6 in advance, €10 on-site). The festival hosts authors from around the world each year, with a guest country or theme, interprofessional meetings, and a Forum of Publishing Professions allowing young people to discover the behind-the-scenes world of books.