The Nuits de la Lecture is the must-attend event for literature lovers, kicking off every year! In the Paris region, hundreds of activities await us in bookstores, libraries, and museums, offering a vibrant lineup of cultural programs that are often free. Sometimes, even more unusual venues serve as the backdrop for this celebration, opening the doors of places that are usually off-limits to the public.
A prime example is the Luxembourg Embassy Residence, nestled within a stunning historic mansion in the 7th arrondissement, not far from the iconic Eiffel Tower. It invites us to experience Les Nuits de la Lecture during a special evening, scheduled for Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 6 p.m.. Attendance is by reservation only via email (paris.mgdl@mae.etat.lu), with very limited space. The event features a musical reading of the work "La Panthère Parfumée", with the author, Jean Portante, and saxophonist Florence Kraus.
Summary:
"Dante is a hunter, and his prey is the panther-language, the vulgar tongue, famously illustrated in the form of song — that is, in poetry. Since our hunt has traversed the mountainous forests and pastures of Italy without encountering the elusive panther we pursue, let us try to trace its footsteps through more discernible clues, so that with careful skill we might finally entrap this prey whose scent spreads far and wide, yet refuses to reveal itself. (Dante Alighieri, De vulgari eloquentia, I, xvi.) The book by Jean Portante continues along this tradition begun by Dante: seeking more reasonable paths in the quest for the elusive panther that reveals itself only through its scent, spreading everywhere but never seen. This approach has been echoed through the pages of poets since Dante, delving deep into the language of poets and cultures, far from the confines of mere idioms.
Dates and Opening Time
On January 22, 2026
Location
Luxembourg Embassy
33 Avenue Rapp
75007 Paris 7
