Paris en toutes lettres 2026: a literary festival across Paris

From 11 to 23 November 2026, Paris en toutes lettres presents events at the Maison de la Poésie and around ten partner venues. The programme brings writing to life through readings, readings with music, literary concerts and performances. You can choose an evening by format and subject, instead of treating the festival as a single event in one place.

Partner venues include Maison Victor Hugo and the National Archives. Each event takes place at the address shown on its listing, so check the venue before setting out. The Maison de la Poésie is in Passage Molière, with entrances at 157 rue Saint-Martin and 82 rue Quincampoix in Paris’s 3rd arrondissement.

The official programme lists Gaëlle Obiégly’s Rien à voir on Thursday 12 November at 7 pm at Maison Victor Hugo. On Friday 13 November at 7 pm, Sophie Bourel and Claire Zalc present Georges Perec, archives d’une enfance, a reading and lecture at the National Archives. These are two options among a wider calendar.

Choose a format that suits your interest: a reading centres on a writer’s voice and text, while a musical reading brings spoken words together with music. Check the official listing for the exact time, venue and booking arrangements. If you do not read French, ask the organiser which language will be used and whether translation or surtitles are planned; do not assume they will be provided.

Booking arrangements and ticket terms depend on the individual event and host venue. Use the ticket link for the session you want before building your schedule, then check the practical information again closer to the date. A listing in the calendar does not by itself confirm that tickets are still available.

At the Maison de la Poésie, only the Pierre Seghers room is identified as accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, with advance contact requested. Off-site events have their own arrangements. If you have an access requirement, contact the specific venue before booking and ask about the room where your event will take place.

One simple plan is to take a daytime sightseeing boat trip on the Seine, then attend a festival event in the evening. Start by checking the event’s time and address, and leave enough flexibility to arrange your journey across Paris. The boat trip and the festival are separate activities, with separate arrangements and reservations.

If you are travelling as a group, you can enquire about a private boat for another time that fits your plans. The request is subject to confirmation by the operator. Check availability and terms directly with each organiser; do not assume a river outing is connected to the festival or included in a combined package.

Before leaving, revisit the official page for your chosen event and confirm its date, time, address and booking details. For a Maison de la Poésie event, check its practical information for access and visitor arrangements as well. If the language of the session matters to you, ask the organiser directly.

The festival runs through 23 November 2026. Choosing one or two events leaves room to enjoy the rest of Paris and avoids trying to cross town repeatedly in one evening. For a group or boat enquiry, share your preferred dates and wait for confirmation before arranging the rest of your schedule.