Rouen Youth Literature Festival

The Rouen Youth Literature Festival: over forty years of passion for youth literature

Since 1983, the Rouen Youth Literature Festival has established itself as one of the major events for youth literature in France. Born from the desire to promote reading among young people and to highlight literary and artistic creation for children and adolescents, this festival has endured through the decades by constantly renewing itself, while remaining true to its founding mission.

Supported by the association Lis-moi les mots, the festival brings together dozens of authors, illustrators, publishers, and professionals in youth literature every year at the Halle aux Toiles, a historic building in the center of Rouen. For three days in November, this space transforms into a true book village, vibrant with meetings, book signings, and discoveries.

A rich and diverse program

Each edition of the festival is built around a unifying theme that permeates the entire program: exhibitions, creative workshops, read-alouds, shows, round tables, and conferences. The festival is aimed at all audiences, from toddlers to teenagers, including families, teachers, and librarians.

Author meetings and book signings

The heart of the festival beats to the rhythm of meetings between creators and their audience. Renowned authors and illustrators, as well as promising young talents, engage in book signings and exchanges with readers. These special moments allow children and teenagers to discover the behind-the-scenes of literary and artistic creation.

Exhibitions and workshops

Immersive exhibitions are designed for each edition, inviting visitors to dive into the world of an author, an illustrator, or a theme. Creative workshops — writing, illustration, bookbinding, printmaking — are offered to children and families, making the festival a place for experimentation and artistic practice.

A festival committed to reading

Beyond the November highlight, the association Lis-moi les mots carries out mediation and reading promotion activities throughout the year in Seine-Maritime: reader's journeys in schools, illustration contests, professional days for librarians and teachers. The festival thus actively contributes to the public reading policy of the department.