Villeneuve se Livre

A literary festival in the heart of the bastide

Since 2021, the Villeneuve se Livre festival has established itself as an unmissable event of the literary season in Lot-et-Garonne. Born from the desire of the Villeneuve-sur-Lot municipality to revive the former book fair created by Jean-Luc Barré in 1995, this event has taken on a new dimension thanks to the work of professional programmer Pierre Defendini. Each year, the festival takes over the historic center of the bastide, from the Parking de la République to the Allées Georges-Leygues, via the Théâtre Georges-Leygues, the Jardin de l'Hôtel de Ville, and the Office de tourisme Villeneuve-Vallée du Lot.

An exceptional lineup of authors

Each edition brings together around 70 authors to meet passionate or occasional readers, families, and young audiences. The festival covers all literary genres: general literature, crime fiction, thrillers, science fiction, children's literature, and poetry. Among the prestigious patrons who have presided over the festival are David Foenkinos and Clélia Ventura (2021), Colombe Schneck and Franz-Olivier Giesbert (2023), Yasmina Khadra (2024), as well as Carole Martinez and Jean-Paul Delfino (2025).

The Villeneuve se Livre Novel Prize

Created from the first edition in 2021, the Prix du Roman Villeneuve se Livre rewards an exceptional literary work. With a prize of 1,500 euros, it is awarded during the opening evening at the Théâtre Georges-Leygues. Among the winners: Corinne Royer for Pleine Terre (2021), Akli Tadjer for D'audace et de liberté (2022), Thomas Oussin for À double tour (2023), and Édouard Jousselin for La géométrie des possibles (2024).

Inspiring themes

Each edition revolves around a unifying theme that guides the programming:

• 2022: “Life is Beautiful”
• 2023: “A Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body”
• 2024: “Dreaming Tomorrow”
• 2025: “The Immobile Journey”

This theme inspires the debates, meetings, and shows offered throughout the weekend, providing visitors with a rich and coherent literary experience.

A free and family-friendly event

True to its mission of democratizing reading, Villeneuve se Livre is entirely free. The organizers want to allow everyone to take the risk of discovering the unknown and being surprised by literature. Youth activities, writing workshops, and live performances complement the program of signings and meetings, making the festival a moment of intergenerational sharing in the heart of the Lot-et-Garonne city.