Tours Book Fair - Livres en Loire
The grand book fair of Tours at the Opera House, organized by the Livres en Loire association
2026
About Livres en Loire
Livres en Loire — edition 2026
The 7th edition of the Tours Book Fair takes over the Opéra de Tours on Saturday, November 28, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM, with free admission. Organized by the Livres en Loire association, this one-day event brings together dozens of authors for book signings in the Grand Théâtre and marks the conclusion of the association's 2026 literary season, highlighted by the presentation of the Prix littéraire Honoré de Balzac.
A 7th edition on November 28, 2026, at the Opéra de Tours
The Livres en Loire association has announced the seventh edition of the "Salon du Livre de Tours à l'Opéra" for Saturday, November 28, 2026, at the Opéra de Tours, with free entry from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM. The fair returns to the Grand Théâtre at 34 rue de la Scellerie, in the heart of the city, where it has been held since its inception.
A day of signings and encounters
The format remains the same as in previous years: each guest author has their own dedicated space where their books can be purchased, personalized, and signed. On the stage of the Grand Théâtre, literary journalist Philippe Chauveau will host discussions with the attending writers throughout the day, starting at 11:30 AM and continuing every half hour in the afternoon. The full list of authors and the detailed schedule of events will be published by the association closer to the date.
The fair also features various activities: the "Les cris de l'écrit" association will welcome the public in the Grand Théâtre's peristyle for two short writing games, "Nos cartes postales" and "Je me souviens"; volunteers from the Bibliothèques Sonores (Donneurs de Voix association) will be stationed in the grand staircase alcoves to introduce accessible reading for those unable to read standard print; and a reading workshop is reserved for younger visitors, giving parents and grandparents time to chat with authors at their leisure.
The 2026 Prix littéraire Honoré de Balzac
The fair is inseparable from the Prix littéraire Honoré de Balzac, awarded by the Livres en Loire jury chaired by writer Laurent Decaux, in tribute to the most iconic novelist of the Touraine region. Six novels make up the 2026 selection: "De la beauté pour l'hiver" by Sarah Bell (Calmann-Lévy), "Les souvenirs inachevés" by David Frèche (Éditions du Rocher), "L'illusionniste" by Édouard Jousselin (Rivages), "Les Enracinés" by Claire Norton (Robert Laffont), "Le Berger d'Alep" by Stéphanie Perez (Récamier), and "La chambre de bonne" by Mathieu Pieyre (Arléa). The prize follows the 2025 award given to Franck Bouysse for "Entre toutes" (Albin Michel).
Livres en Loire, a volunteer-run association
Founded in late February 2018, the Livres en Loire association had 169 volunteer members as of December 31, 2025, and is chaired by Monique Lefaucheur. Novelist Lorraine Fouchet, author of the bestseller "Entre ciel et Lou", serves as its patron. Its mission focuses on promoting the French language, encouraging reading and writing, combating illiteracy, and fostering intergenerational exchanges around books.
The November fair is just the highlight of a busy season: in 2026, the association will host Antoine Laurain for the 7th "Dictée de Tours pour Tous" on January 31, followed by Olivier Norek, Philippe Besson, Grégoire Delacourt, and François-Xavier Ménage during its literary evenings from March to June. The second half of the year begins on Sunday, September 13, with the 8th edition of "Tours en Fête" at the Lac de la Bergeonnerie, followed by the 40th literary evening on Thursday, September 24, a booth and signings at the Salon de l'Habitat et du Mariage from Friday, October 16 to Sunday, October 18 at the Parc des Expositions de Tours, and the 41st literary evening on Thursday, November 5. After the fair, the 8th "Dictée de Tours pour Tous" is scheduled for Saturday, January 30, 2027, with registration opening on December 5, 2026.
Highlights Livres en Loire 2026
- 7th edition of the Salon du Livre de Tours à l'Opéra, Saturday, November 28, 2026, 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM, free admission
- Dozens of authors signing books in the Grand Théâtre, 34 rue de la Scellerie
- Literary encounters on the Opéra stage hosted by Philippe Chauveau, starting at 11:30 AM
- Presentation of the 2026 Prix littéraire Honoré de Balzac, with six novels in competition
- "Les cris de l'écrit" activities in the peristyle and Bibliothèques Sonores (Donneurs de Voix) in the grand staircase
- Reading workshop for children while adults meet the authors
Programme Livres en Loire 2026
Saturday, November 28, 2026
- 10:00 AM — Fair opens at the Opéra de Tours, free admission: author signings, bookstore, and activities in the peristyle and grand staircase of the Grand Théâtre
- 11:30 AM — First literary encounters on the Grand Théâtre stage, hosted by literary journalist Philippe Chauveau
- 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM — Author lunch break
- From 2:00 PM — Resumption of stage encounters, every half hour
- 6:30 PM — Fair closes
Standard event schedule published by the association; the list of guest authors and the specific schedule for the 2026 edition will be posted online by Livres en Loire in the weeks leading up to the event.
Prices Livres en Loire 2026
Practical information — Livres en Loire
Practical Information
Getting There
The Tours Book Fair takes place at the Opéra de Tours (Grand Théâtre), located at 34 rue de la Scellerie, 37000 Tours, right in the city center.
By tram: take the tram to the "Jean Jaurès" stop, then it is just a short walk away.
By train: the Tours train station is approximately a 10-minute walk from the venue.
By car: there are several underground parking garages in the immediate vicinity of the city center.
Opening Hours
The fair is a one-day event held on a Saturday in November, from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM.
Admission
Admission is free for everyone. Books by the attending authors will be available for purchase at their respective signing areas.
On-site Activities
Literary discussions hosted on the Grand Théâtre stage by literary journalist Philippe Chauveau, starting at 11:30 AM and continuing every half hour throughout the afternoon. Creative writing workshops hosted by the "Les cris de l'écrit" association in the peristyle, a stand for the "Bibliothèques Sonores des Donneurs de Voix" in the alcoves of the grand staircase, and reading workshops for children.
Contact
Association Livres en Loire — Website: www.livresenloire.com — Email: [email protected] — Facebook: LivresenLoire37 — Instagram: @livresenloire
The major book event in Tours
The Tours Book Fair - Livres en Loire has become, in just a few years, an unmissable literary event in the Centre-Val de Loire region. Organized every November in the prestigious setting of the Opéra de Tours, rue de la Scellerie, it attracts thousands of book lovers and curious visitors eager to meet authors and discover literature.
An association committed to reading
The fair is driven by the association Livres en Loire, whose missions go far beyond organizing an annual event:
- Promote reading and writing of books in all its forms
- Combat illiteracy by facilitating access to books for all
- Enhance the French language through literary awards and public dictations
- Organize cultural events: literary dinners, literary cafés, conferences, and meetings throughout the year
- Create intergenerational exchanges around books and reading
- Collect books to make them accessible to everyone
A rich program at the Opéra de Tours
The Book Fair takes place over a full day at the Opéra de Tours and offers:
- Signings: dozens of authors present to sign their works and interact with readers
- Literary encounters: privileged moments of exchange with writers
- Prix Honoré de Balzac: a literary prize awarded during the fair, paying homage to the famous writer from Tours
- Bookstore space: sale of various works, from novels to poetry, including children's literature and essays
The Opéra de Tours: a prestigious setting for literature
The Opéra de Tours (Grand Théâtre), located at 34 rue de la Scellerie, is an emblematic building in the city center of Tours. This prestigious venue, usually dedicated to lyrical arts and performing arts, offers an exceptional setting to host the book fair. Its elegant and bright spaces allow for the optimal display of author and publisher stands, creating an atmosphere conducive to literary discovery.
Balzac, Tours, and literature
By awarding the Prix Honoré de Balzac, the fair pays homage to the most illustrious writer from Tours. Born in Tours in 1799, Balzac set many of his works in Touraine for La Comédie humaine. The fair is part of this literary tradition by making Tours a vibrant place for creation and sharing around books.
Where does it take place — Livres en Loire
Livres en Loire in brief
Other festivals near Tours
Festival-goer reviews
No review yet. Be the first!
No rating yet — be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community
Have you spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every suggestion is reviewed by our team before publication.
Festival-goer photos
No photo yet. Share yours!
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)