Cœur du Var Literary Festival

The Cœur du Var Literary Festival: A Book Celebration in the Heart of Provence's Var Region

The Cœur du Var Literary Festival is one of the most anticipated cultural events in the inland Var region. Every spring, in May, the village of Gonfaron transforms into a book town, welcoming around forty authors and hundreds of readers for a weekend of meetings, book signings, and sharing literature in all its forms.

Gonfaron, Village of Books and Cork

Gonfaron is a typical Provençal village in the Var, known for its cork-working tradition and the Village des Tortues (Hermann's tortoise conservation center). It is in this green and authentic setting that the festival has chosen to take place, taking advantage of the charm of the village square, shaded alleys, and community spaces to host its authors and audience. This choice of a rural village rather than a large city reflects the organizers' desire to bring literature to areas where it is often less present.

A Literary Fortnight Before the Main Weekend

The festival is not limited to the main weekend; it is part of a literary fortnight that generally runs from May 7th to 11th, with activities in schools and cultural institutions in the area. Author meetings in the media libraries and libraries of neighboring towns, writing workshops in middle and high schools, and readings in retirement homes reach all audiences and build lasting connections between residents and literature.

A Festive Weekend Around Books: 40 Authors, All Genres

The heart of the festival is the Book Festival Weekend – usually May 10th and 11th – which brings together about 40 authors representing all literary genres: novels, essays, poetry, children's literature, manga, comics, thrillers, science fiction, and fantasy. This diversity is a strength, allowing the festival to attract a wide range of audiences, from lovers of classic literature to manga fans, families with children, and enthusiasts of illustrated books.

Among the regularly invited authors are figures from the Provençal and national literary scene: novelists, essayists, poets, comic book authors, and manga creators, some of whom travel specifically for the friendly atmosphere and warm welcome characteristic of Cœur du Var. Book signing sessions, themed round tables, and informal meetings allow readers to interact closely with authors in an accessible format, without the distance often imposed by major literary fairs.

Workshops for Young People: Manga, Writing, Reading

The children's and youth program is particularly well-developed and is one of the festival's great assets. Manga drawing workshops led by professional artists, book creation workshops, mini-conferences on illustration, and read-aloud sessions for younger children punctuate the weekend. These workshops, accessible to all and often free, allow children to understand how a book is made and to try their hand at writing and drawing themselves under the guidance of a professional.

The "Donne de la voix" (Give Voice) competition – a public reading competition open to all ages – has become one of the festival's highlights, showcasing the magic of literary text interpreted by passionate readers.

Free and Family-Friendly: Founding Values

The festival's complete freeness is a deeply held conviction of its organizers. By making the entire program – meetings, workshops, conferences, performances – accessible without any financial cost, the festival asserts that culture and literature are common goods that should not be subject to commercial logic. This freeness is made possible by the support of local authorities, the Var department, and associative partners.