Le Printemps du Livre de Montaigu
The largest literary fair in the Pays de la Loire
About Printemps du Livre
The Spring Book Festival: Over 35 Years of Literary Passion
Founded in 1989 on the initiative of the Terres de Montaigu community of communes, Le Printemps du Livre de Montaigu has established itself over the decades as the leading literary event in the Pays de la Loire and one of the most frequented book fairs in France. Each year, nearly 40,000 visitors converge on Montaigu-Vendée to meet over 200 invited authors, in a spirit of sharing, discovery, and conviviality that is the hallmark of this festival.
A Generalist Fair of National Scope
Le Printemps du Livre stands out for its generalist ambition: from general literature to comic books, from thrillers to young adult novels, from poetry to essays, all facets of literary creation are represented. The program each year reflects current editorial trends and the readings favored by the French. Literary meetings, round tables, youth shows, an open stage, musical readings, theatrical strolls, and exhibitions punctuate the three days of the festival, offering the public a total immersion in the world of books.
A Prestigious Guest of Honor Each Year
Each edition is placed under the presidency of a renowned author, who embodies the spirit of the year and sponsors the meetings. Over the years, the festival has welcomed major figures of French literature, including Marc Levy (2019), Michel Bussi (2018), Françoise Bourdin (2017), Clara Dupont-Monod (2022), Étienne de Montety (2023), and Bernard Minier (2025). In 2026, Didier Decoin, winner of the Prix Goncourt in 1977 and former perpetual secretary of the Académie Goncourt, presided over the 36th edition, on the theme of 400 Years of the French Navy.
The Prix Ouest: Rewarding Literature from the West
Each year, Le Printemps du Livre de Montaigu awards the Prix Ouest, a literary distinction that recognizes a novel whose action takes place in the Grand Ouest of France or is written by an author from this region. In 2026, the Prix Ouest was awarded to Louis Raymond, a debut novelist. This prize contributes to the influence of regional literature and highlights the festival's deep territorial roots.
A Festival Rooted in its Territory
Since 2022, the festival has taken over several emblematic locations in the city center of Montaigu-Vendée: the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, the Théâtre de Thalie, the Médiathèque Calliopé, the Parc Henri Joyau, the Maison des Associations, and the Salle des Fêtes. This multi-site format transforms the entire city into a vast book village, where visitors can freely wander from one space to another. Admission is entirely free, in line with the organizers' desire to make literature accessible to all.
An Exemplary Youth Program
The festival gives a prominent place to young audiences. Two days are dedicated to schoolchildren, with reading, writing, and drawing workshops, meetings with youth authors, and adapted shows. On weekends, families enjoy specific activities, readings for toddlers, and creative workshops. This focus on transmitting the passion for books to the youngest is a founding value of Le Printemps du Livre.
Printemps du Livre — edition 2026
The 36th edition of the Printemps du Livre de Montaigu took place from May 8 to 10, 2026 in Montaigu-Vendée, under the presidency of Didier Decoin (Goncourt Prize 1977, former perpetual secretary of the Académie Goncourt), on the theme of the 400th anniversary of the French Navy. More than 200 authors, musical readings with Olivia Ruiz, Aurélie Valognes and Audrey Alwett, the drawn concert Nuit Noire and the presentation of the Prix Ouest 2026 to Louis Raymond punctuated three days of literary encounters, free and open to all.
36th edition — May 8 to 10, 2026, under the presidency of Didier Decoin
The Printemps du Livre de Montaigu celebrated its 36th edition from Friday, May 8 to Sunday, May 10, 2026, under the honorary presidency of Didier Decoin, writer, screenwriter, Goncourt Prize 1977 (for John l'Enfer) and former perpetual secretary of the Académie Goncourt. More than 200 authors were present for three days of encounters, book signings, musical readings, and shows, in the city center of Montaigu-Vendée.
An edition themed around the sea
Labeled for the 400th anniversary of the French Navy, this edition honored maritime horizons and adventure stories. A literary stopover brought together several members of the Écrivains de Marine association — Patrice Franceschi (president of the association), Katell Faria, Admiral Loïc Finaz, Arnaud de La Grange, Admiral François Guichard and Captain Rémi de Monteville — around the honorary president Didier Decoin. The Médiathèque Calliopé hosted an exhibition of photographs by Benjamin Decoin taken on the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.
A successful 2026 edition — official report
Attendance was exceptional over the three days of the festival, with a 10% increase in book sales observed on Saturday evening. Several highlights marked the edition: the drawn concert Nuit Noire (inspired by Bernard Moitessier) gathered more than 250 spectators; the meeting with Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt, former president of the festival, brought together more than 200 people; the visit of Boualem Sansal (after his imprisonment in 2025) constituted a particularly anticipated moment, accompanied by Lisa Romain, a specialist in his work.
The Prix Ouest 2026 awarded to Louis Raymond
The Prix Ouest 2026, which rewards a novel whose action takes place in the Grand Ouest or written by an author from the region, was awarded to Louis Raymond, a debut novelist.
Programme Printemps du Livre 2026
Friday, May 8, 2026 — opening
- Opening evening — Théâtre de Thalie — Olivia Ruiz in a musical reading with her musicians (full house)
- Opening of the fair to the public: 10 AM - 8 PM
- Meeting on the Second World War, as part of the May 8 commemorations — Frédéric Albert, Benjamin Fogel, Renaud Leblond
Saturday, May 9, 2026 — highlights
- 11 AM — Official opening ceremony
- Fair open to the public: 10 AM - 7 PM
- Musical reading by Aurélie Valognes with actress Louise Le Bars, around her novel L'Émerveillement (first musical reading of her career)
- Literary stopover of the Écrivains de Marine: Didier Decoin, Patrice Franceschi, Katell Faria, Admiral Loïc Finaz, Arnaud de La Grange, Admiral François Guichard, Captain Rémi de Monteville
- Exceptional meeting with Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt (former president 2013) — more than 200 people
- Meeting with Boualem Sansal, accompanied by Lisa Romain (specialist in his work)
- Drawn concert Nuit Noire, inspired by Bernard Moitessier — 250 spectators
- Presentation of the Prix Ouest 2026 to Louis Raymond
Sunday, May 10, 2026 — closing
- Fair open to the public: 10 AM - 6 PM
- Musical reading by Audrey Alwett, accompanied by harpist Ameylia Saad Wu (presentation of her first adult novel)
- Youth show around Claude Ponti's chicks — Parc Henri Joyau
- Immersive exhibition Brume by the little witch — Médiathèque Calliopé
- Meeting with Stéphanie Blake (with the mascot Simon Superlapin) — youth audience
- Poetic writing workshop by Pauline Bilisari (full)
- Meeting in English with Anna McPartlin
- Round table on violence against women — Julien Sandrel, Karine Reysset, Stephene Gillieux
- Meetings and book signings with Marie Vareille, Natacha Calestrémé, Christopher Laquièze
Authors particularly popular for book signings
- Sophie Jomain, Jamy Gourmaud, Michel Bussi, Laure Manel, Jacques Ravenne, Carène Ponte
- Youth / Comics: Carine Hinder (illustrator of Brume), Mark Eacersall, Anne Goscinny
Official program published by Terres de Montaigu (PDF of the visitor program and Calameo platform).
Highlights Printemps du Livre 2026
- 36th edition — May 8 to 10, 2026
- Honorary Presidency: Didier Decoin (Goncourt Prize 1977, Académie Goncourt)
- Theme: 400th anniversary of the French Navy — literary stopover of the Écrivains de Marine
- More than 200 invited authors, exceptional attendance over 3 days
- Musical readings: Olivia Ruiz, Aurélie Valognes (with Louise Le Bars), Audrey Alwett (with Ameylia Saad Wu)
- Drawn concert Nuit Noire inspired by Bernard Moitessier — 250 spectators
- Exceptional meeting with Boualem Sansal
- Meeting with Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt (200+ people)
- Prix Ouest 2026 awarded to Louis Raymond
- Photo exhibition by Benjamin Decoin on the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle
- 10% increase in book sales on Saturday evening
- Completely free admission
Prices Printemps du Livre 2026
Practical information — Printemps du Livre
Practical Information
Location
The festival takes place in the town center of Montaigu-Vendée: Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, Parc Henri Joyau, Médiathèque Calliopé, Théâtre de Thalie, Maison des Associations, and Salle des Fêtes.
Access
- By car: Montaigu-Vendée is accessible via the A83 (Montaigu exit), 35 minutes from Nantes and 45 minutes from La Roche-sur-Yon. Park-and-ride lots on the outskirts are available with free shuttles every 15 minutes.
- By train: Montaigu-Vendée station, served by line 8 Nantes — Les Sables-d'Olonne (TER Pays de la Loire). Free shuttles from the station to the festival sites. Reduced fares available (Ecco ticket, Multi 30 € package for 5 people).
- By bike: Bicycle parking available on site. Routes via Géovélo.
Opening Hours
- Friday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (opening ceremony at 11 a.m.)
- Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Prices
Completely free admission. Free access to all areas, meetings, and activities.
Food & Drink
Food trucks and a fast-food area on site. Restaurants in the town center nearby.
Accessibility
The entire fair is on one level. Reserved disabled parking spaces near the sites. Online form for disabled access passes.
Services
- WiFi available at reception
- Free entry and exit
- Pets not allowed
- No smoking within the festival grounds
Contact
- Phone: 02 51 09 20 90
- Address: Terres de Montaigu — Direction de l'action culturelle, 1 rue Henri Joyau, 85600 Montaigu-Vendée
- Website: printempsdulivre.terresdemontaigu.fr
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Where does it take place — Printemps du Livre
Centre-ville de Montaigu-Vendée
Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, 85600 Montaigu-Vendée