Le Livre à Metz

A Major Literary Event

Founded in 1986, the Le Livre à Metz – Littérature & Journalisme festival has established itself over the decades as one of the most important book fairs in France. Every April, the Place de la République in Metz hosts a village of chalets and marquees dedicated to literature, journalism, comic strips, and children's literature for three days.

A Unifying Theme

Each edition revolves around a chosen theme that sets the tone for debates, meetings, and round tables. In 2025, the 38th edition highlighted the theme “Tenir Tête” (Standing Firm) with Leïla Slimani as the guest of honor, in dialogue with Laurent Gaudé. In 2026, the 39th edition explores the theme “Habiter le monde” (Inhabiting the World), questioning our relationship with territories, the environment, and ways of life.

A Rich and Varied Program

Over 80 free events punctuate the festival: round tables, major interviews, meetings with authors, signing sessions, readings, writing workshops, and children's activities. The program brings together writers, journalists, intellectuals, and artists to offer a vibrant panorama of contemporary literary creation.

Literary Awards

Le Livre à Metz awards several literary prizes each year, recognizing outstanding works in various categories: novels, essays, comic strips, and children's literature. These distinctions contribute to the discovery of new talents and the spotlighting of significant works from the literary season.

A Space for Meeting and Sharing

One of the festival's major strengths lies in the proximity between authors and readers. The outdoor setting of the fair on Place de la République encourages spontaneous exchanges and discoveries. The stands of publishers and booksellers allow the public to build their ideal library with personalized advice from book professionals.

Le Livre à Metz Winter

For several years, the festival has also had a winter edition, offering literary encounters in Metz's heritage sites, such as the salons of the Hôtel de Ville, providing an intimate extension to the main spring event.

A Free and Unifying Event

The entire festival is free to access, in line with the organizers' desire to make literature a common good accessible to all. Supported by the City of Metz with the backing of numerous institutional and media partners, Le Livre à Metz attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year, confirming its status as an essential cultural event of the Metz spring.