Printemps des Poètes in Haute-Loire
Celebration of poetry in all its forms in Le Puy-en-Velay and Haute-Loire
About Printemps des Poètes
The Printemps des Poètes in Haute-Loire is the local branch of the major national event dedicated to poetry, created in 1999 by Jack Lang and Emmanuel Hoog. Every year in March, for nearly three weeks, the municipal media library of Le Puy-en-Velay, bookstores, schools, and cultural venues in the department offer a rich program of poetic events: readings, writing workshops, meetings with poets, performances, poetry podcasts, exhibitions, and activities for young audiences. The theme changes each year, offering a renewed perspective on contemporary and heritage poetic creation. Free and open to all, this unifying event irrigates the Haute-Loire region and invites young and old to (re)discover poetry in various places, from the library to the bookstore, from school to the literary café.
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The Printemps des Poètes in Haute-Loire: Poetry for All
Every year in March, the Printemps des Poètes takes over Haute-Loire to celebrate poetry in all its forms. A local branch of the major national event created in 1999 by Jack Lang and Emmanuel Hoog, this event brings together cultural actors from the department—media libraries, bookstores, schools, associations, and heritage sites—around a rich program accessible to all audiences.
The Media Library of Le Puy-en-Velay, the Heartbeat of the Event
The municipal media library of Le Puy-en-Velay, located at Place de la Halle, is the central venue for the program in Haute-Loire. Librarians each year offer poetry readings, thematic book selections, poetry podcasts to listen to online, and original interactive activities. Among the notable initiatives, an old telephone installed at the reception allows visitors to pick up the receiver to listen to a new poem, creating a moment of surprise and intimacy with poetry.
A Network of Mobilized Cultural Actors
Beyond the media library, numerous partners participate in the event throughout the Haute-Loire region:
- The bookstore Le Chat Perché in Le Puy-en-Velay organizes readings, poetry sessions for toddlers, and meetings with authors.
- Schools in the department—primary schools, middle schools, and high schools—host poets for classroom meetings, writing workshops, and shared readings.
- The departmental media library of Haute-Loire coordinates actions across the network of libraries in the department.
- Local cultural associations offer poetic performances, musical readings, and shows in various venues in Le Puy-en-Velay and surrounding towns.
A Renewed Theme Each Year
True to the national dynamic, the Printemps des Poètes in Haute-Loire adopts the theme chosen by the national coordination each year. This theme guides the selection of texts, artistic creations, and activities offered to the public. Recent editions have explored themes as varied as La Grâce (2024), Poésie Volcanique—a theme particularly resonant in the Auvergne region—(2025), and La liberté. Force vive, déployée (2026).
Various Formats for All Audiences
The program combines traditional and innovative formats:
- Public readings in media libraries, bookstores, and cultural venues.
- Poetry writing workshops led by authors and cultural facilitators.
- School meetings with guest poets in classrooms.
- Podcasts and digital content of poems read by librarians.
- Performances and musical readings combining poetry and music.
- Activities for young audiences: readings for toddlers, creative workshops, poetic games.
- Exhibitions on poetry and literary correspondences.
- Poetic intervention brigades in public spaces.
The vast majority of events are offered free of charge and open to all, in a spirit of openness and sharing that characterizes this popular event.
Printemps des Poètes — edition 2026
The 28th edition of Printemps des Poètes takes place from March 9 to 31, 2026, on the theme "La liberté. Force vive, déployée" (Liberty. Living force, deployed). Godmother of this edition, Isabelle Adjani embodies poetic commitment. In Haute-Loire, the media library of Le Puy-en-Velay and cultural actors in the department offer readings, writing workshops, school meetings, and poetic activities celebrating freedom in all its forms.
28th Edition — "La liberté. Force vive, déployée" — March 9 to 31, 2026
For its 28th edition, the Printemps des Poètes celebrates "La liberté. Force vive, déployée", a powerful and universal theme. Isabelle Adjani is the godmother of this edition, which, for the first time, extends over three weeks instead of two, demonstrating the growing scale of the event.
Program in Haute-Loire
In Haute-Loire, the municipal media library of Le Puy-en-Velay offers a dedicated program: selections of works on the theme of freedom, poetry readings, an online podcast, and interactive activities. On March 20, the day of the spring equinox, students from schools in Haute-Loire are invited to participate in a national public reading of a poem by Jules Renard on freedom. Bookstores, cultural associations, and media libraries in the department will relay the program with public readings, writing workshops, and poetic intervention brigades in public spaces.
Programme Printemps des Poètes 2026
2026 Program (in progress)
- Poetry readings at the media library of Le Puy-en-Velay
- Poetry podcast online on the theme of freedom
- Thematic selections of poetry works
- Interactive activities at the media library
- National reading on March 20 in schools
- Readings at the bookstore Le Chat Perché
- Coordinated actions in the departmental libraries
- Poetic intervention brigades in public spaces
- Writing workshops for adults and young audiences
Highlights Printemps des Poètes 2026
To Note for the 2026 Edition
- Theme: "La liberté. Force vive, déployée" (Liberty. Living force, deployed)
- Dates: March 9 to 31, 2026 (three weeks for the first time)
- Godmother: Isabelle Adjani
- National Reading on March 20: Poem by Jules Renard read in all schools
- Free and open program for all
Prices Printemps des Poètes 2026
Practical information — Printemps des Poètes
Practical Information
Dates
The Printemps des Poètes takes place every year in March, for about three weeks. The exact dates vary depending on the edition. In 2026, the event will take place from March 9 to 31.
Main Venue
The heart of the program is at the municipal media library of Le Puy-en-Velay, 5 Place de la Halle, 43000 Le Puy-en-Velay. Many events are also offered at other venues: Le Chat Perché bookstore, schools, association halls, and cultural spaces in the department.
Access
By car: Le Puy-en-Velay is accessible via the RN88 from Saint-Étienne (approx. 1h15) and from Clermont-Ferrand via the A75 then the RN102 (approx. 1h30). Free and paid parking in the city center near Place de la Halle.
By train: Le Puy-en-Velay SNCF station, about a 15-minute walk from the media library. TER connections from Saint-Étienne and Clermont-Ferrand.
By bus: TUDIP urban bus network serving the city center of Le Puy-en-Velay.
Prices
The vast majority of Printemps des Poètes events are free and open to all. Some specific performances or workshops may require prior registration or a small fee. Inquire with the media library or local organizers.
Opening Hours
Hours vary depending on the event and venue. The media library of Le Puy-en-Velay is open: Tuesday from 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 AM to 6:30 PM, Saturday from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and from 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Detailed programs are published on the media library's website and social media.
Contact
Municipal Media Library of Le Puy-en-Velay: 04 71 02 42 32. Website: bibliotheque.lepuyenvelay.fr. National Coordination: printempsdespoetes.com.
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — Printemps des Poètes
Médiathèque municipale du Puy-en-Velay
5 Place de la Halle, 43000 Le Puy-en-Velay