Printemps des Poètes in the Yonne

The Printemps des Poètes in the Yonne: Poetry at the Heart of the Territory

Founded in 1999 by Jack Roubaud, the Printemps des Poètes is one of the largest literary and poetic events in France. Every year, for two to three weeks in March, thousands of events are organized throughout France and around the world: public readings, writing workshops, recitals, exhibitions, meetings with poets, performances, and installations. The principle is simple: to give poetry a place at the heart of the city, in everyday spaces — schools, hospitals, retirement homes, libraries, streets.

In the Yonne department, the Printemps des Poètes mobilizes a network of cultural, associative, and educational stakeholders each year, who organize poetic events in towns and villages. Coordination is ensured in conjunction with the national mission, with the support of the Departmental Council of the Yonne and the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (DRAC) Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.

Events Throughout the Department

The specificity of the Printemps des Poètes in the Yonne is its territorial and decentralized dimension. While Auxerre, Sens, and Villeneuve-sur-Yonne host major events, many rural communes also participate, making this event a true invitation to poetry for residents of the entire department:

• Auxerre: readings, meetings with poets, writing workshops in the municipal libraries and cultural spaces of the Yonne prefecture.
• Sens: events in schools, media libraries, and community spaces in the Sénonais region. The association Obsidienne notably organizes exhibitions, collage and cyanotype workshops followed by a poetic and musical reception at the Salle de la Poterne.
• Villeneuve-sur-Yonne: the town hall organizes activities each year as part of the Printemps des Poètes, with readings and workshops in the public and cultural spaces of the commune.
• Montréal (Yonne): the Maison Hirondelle, an active rural community center, offers poetic festivities each year from March to April, with exhibitions, conferences, and workshops.
• Foyers ruraux (Rural Community Centers): the Departmental Federation of Rural Community Centers of the Yonne (FDFR 89) mobilizes its members to organize poetic readings and workshops in the villages of the department.

Poetry for Everyone, Everywhere

The philosophy of the Printemps des Poètes is one of accessibility: poetry does not belong to an elite; it is a common good for all. In the Yonne, this conviction is reflected in a deliberately diverse program, ranging from major contemporary poetry names to emerging local voices, including writing workshops open to high school students, seniors, or amateurs of all ages.

Schools — middle and high schools — actively participate each year, with in-class readings, meetings with poets in residence, and writing competitions. Media libraries, natural partners of the event, organize exhibitions, readings, and thematic workshops related to the national theme of the year.

The 2026 Theme: “Freedom. Living Force, Unfurled”

For the 28th edition of the Printemps des Poètes in 2026, the national theme chosen is “Freedom. Living Force, Unfurled”. With actress Isabelle Adjani as patron, this edition invites poets, artists, and enthusiasts to explore all dimensions of freedom through poetic language: political freedom, freedom of imagination, freedom of the body, amorous freedom, creative freedom. In the Yonne, the events organized between March 9 and 31, 2026, align with this theme, offering cross-perspectives on freedom through French and international poetry.