Un Aller-Retour dans le Noir
Crime and Noir Literature Festival in Pau
2026
About Un Aller-Retour dans le Noir
Every year, the Un Aller-Retour dans le Noir festival brings together French and international crime and noir fiction authors at the Médiathèque André Labarrère in Pau. Organized by the ARDN association, each edition highlights a specific country or literary region through its guest of honor and presents the Libération - Un Aller-Retour dans le Noir Prize, as well as the Margot Prize, which is awarded by local middle school students.
Beyond the main weekend, the festival spreads across libraries, bookstores, and schools throughout the Pau area, extending as far as Tarbes and Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
Un Aller-Retour dans le Noir — edition 2026
For its 18th edition, the festival shines a spotlight on Spain and Iberian crime fiction. The novelist Rosa Montero serves as the event's patron, joined by acclaimed authors such as Dolores Redondo, Víctor del Árbol, and Susana Fortes. Around thirty authors will gather on October 3rd and 4th, 2026, at the Médiathèque André Labarrère in Pau for the authors' fair, featuring debates, book signings, and the festival's signature "readings in the dark" with headphones.
This year also marks the presentation of the 2nd Prix Libération - Un Aller-Retour dans le Noir and the 11th Prix Margot, awarded by local middle school students.
Highlights Un Aller-Retour dans le Noir 2026
- Rosa Montero, patron of this edition dedicated to Spanish crime fiction
- Debate: "Spain, a Kingdom of Crime Fiction" with Rosa Montero, Dolores Redondo, Susana Fortes, and Víctor del Árbol, Saturday at 10:15 AM
- Presentation of the Prix Libération - Un Aller-Retour dans le Noir and the Prix Margot, Saturday at 11:00 AM
- Readings in the dark, using headphones, in six languages over the two days
- Screening of the film "The Dog Stars" followed by a meeting with Peter Heller, Saturday at 4:00 PM, Cinéma Le Méliès
Programme Un Aller-Retour dans le Noir 2026
Saturday, October 3rd, 2026
- 11:00 AM — Opening ceremony with the authors, announcement of the Libération and Margot prizes · Médiathèque André Labarrère (MIAL)
- 10:15 AM — Debate: "Spain, a Kingdom of Crime Fiction" with Rosa Montero, Dolores Redondo, Susana Fortes, Víctor del Árbol · MIAL Auditorium
- 3:30 PM — Debate: "Obsessions..." with Frédéric Andréi, Dimitri Rouchon-Borie, Jean-Christophe Tixier · MIAL Auditorium
- 4:10 PM — Debate: "Adrift" with Max Monnehay, Nathalie Gauthereau, Jean-Marc Souvira · EPN Room, MIAL
- 4:40 PM — Debate: "When Society Derails" with Marc Villard, Tristan Saule, David Hury · MIAL Auditorium
- 6:30 PM — Debate: "The Fabulous Fictional Destiny of True Crime" with Valentine Imhof, Florence Medina, Philippe Lescarret · Complexe de la République, Pau
- 4:00 PM — Screening of the film "The Dog Stars", followed by a Q&A with author Peter Heller at 5:50 PM · Cinéma Le Méliès
- 3:00 PM — Storytime with Catherine Castillo, reading of "Face au danger" (Rageot editions), ages 7-12 · MIAL, 1st floor
- Readings in the dark: Patrícia Melo (2:40 PM, in Portuguese), Gabriel Tallent (3:10 PM, in English), Max Monnehay (3:40 PM, in French), Ron Rash (4:10 PM, in English), Rosa Montero (4:30 PM, in Spanish), Susana Fortes (4:45 PM, in Spanish)
- Author signings all day · MIAL
Sunday, October 4th, 2026
- 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM — Author signings and Éditions Rivages exhibition · MIAL
- 10:15 AM — Debate: "First Novel: The Choice of Crime Fiction" with Mathieu Pigné, Jordan Nourry, Oto Oltvanji · MIAL Auditorium
- 10:15 AM — Meet the author: Alexandra Schwartzbrod on "Les Fantômes de Gaza" · EPN Room, MIAL
- 10:15 AM — Meet the winner of the Prix Libération - Un Aller-Retour dans le Noir · MIAL, 3rd floor
- 2:30 PM — Debate: "The Territorialization of Crime Fiction" with Dolores Redondo, Emmanuel Grand, Yan Lespoux · EPN Room, MIAL
- 2:45 PM — Debate: "Friendship Put to the Test" with Gabriel Tallent, Peter Heller, Ron Rash · MIAL Auditorium
- Readings in the dark: Víctor del Árbol (2:10 PM, in Spanish), Oto Oltvanji (2:40 PM, in Serbian), David Hury (3:10 PM, in French), Tiffany Quay Tyson (3:40 PM, in English), Dolores Redondo (4:10 PM, in Spanish)
Around the Festival
- Monday, October 5th, 6:30 PM — Meet the author: Víctor del Árbol · Médiathèque de Tarbes
- Tuesday, October 6th, 6:30 PM — Meet the author: Víctor del Árbol · Librairie Le 5e Art, Saint-Jean-de-Luz
- Wednesday, October 7th, 3:00 PM — Forensic science workshop, ages 8+, registration required · Médiathèque Les Allées, Pau
- Saturday, October 10th, 3:00 PM — Crime fiction blind test · Médiathèque de Billère
- Tuesday, November 17th, 6:00 PM — Crime fiction book presentation · Médiathèque Louis Aragon, Tarbes
Full program published by the ARDN association (source: unallerretourdanslenoir.com, downloadable program, accessed August 23, 2026).
Practical information — Un Aller-Retour dans le Noir
The main event takes place at the Médiathèque André Labarrère in downtown Pau. Several debates and meetings are also held at the Complexe de la République and the Le Méliès cinema, both just a short walk away. Select sessions feature sign language interpretation, subject to availability.
Readings in the dark, experienced via headphones, are available on a first-come, first-served basis with limited seating.
Where does it take place — Un Aller-Retour dans le Noir
Un Aller-Retour dans le Noir in brief
Other festivals near Pau
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