Ouessant Island Literature Festival

Island Literature at the End of the World

Created in 1999 by the association CALI (Culture, Arts and Letters of the Islands), the Ouessant Island Literature Festival is a literary event unique in its kind. Every spring, the island of Ouessant, the westernmost part of metropolitan France, hosts dozens of writers, publishers, and artists from islands around the world to celebrate island literature in all its diversity.

A Rich and Free Program

For four to five days, the festival offers more than 40 encounters with writers: public readings, literary cafés, conferences, round tables, and signing sessions. Events take place in the multipurpose hall and the island's gardens, offering an exceptional setting for literary exchanges. The festival is completely free for the public, who are invited to make donations for the artists.

A Geographical Theme Each Year

Each edition explores a different geographical theme, highlighting the literature of an island region of the world. In 2025, the festival celebrated "The Song of the Islands, Gulliver's Travels, Lighthouses". In 2026, the theme will be dedicated to Polynesia and the Pacific Ocean. Island publishers are invited to set up stands to present their publications.

Ouessant, Island of Literature

The choice of Ouessant as the festival location is no accident. This island in Finistère, classified as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, embodies island identity itself. Accessible by boat or plane from Brest, Ouessant offers a wild and preserved setting that inspires writers and delights visitors. The festival contributes to the cultural animation of the island and the global influence of island literature.