Nights of Reading 2026: A poetic journey, live storytelling, and creative writing games in the RER C

For their 10th anniversary, the Nuits de la Lecture are stepping beyond the walls of libraries and museums from January 21 to 25, 2026. Driven by the Ministry of Culture, this nationwide event celebrates the joy of reading in all its forms under the theme “Cities and Countryside.” In Paris and Île-de-France, this popular celebration extends into our everyday journeys, turning public transport into spaces of creativity and encounter.

A unique opportunity to rediscover the connection between the regions we pass through every day — all for the price of a single transit ticket. As the backbone of Île-de-France's transport network, RER C is among the most extensive lines, linking the bustling city centers of Paris with the more rural landscapes of Essonne and Yvelines.

Hugging the Seine and passing by some of France’s most iconic landmarks (the Musée d'Orsay, Les Invalides, Versailles), this metro line serves as a daily bridge between "the city and the countryside." During the Nuits de la Lecture events, its trains transform into mobile literary salons, giving passengers a fleeting cultural escape between stations.

• To be read
• This week's top deals in Paris and Île-de-France, April 20–26, 2026.
• Free museums in Paris and free monuments in Île-de-France: the top cultural deals

This Year’s Night of Reading Events on the RER C Line

Milène Tournier, Julien Bucci, and Juliette Roux present a poetic journey along RER Line C. Starting from the station's plaza, travelers and spectators are invited to embark on an immersive experience that blends spoken-word performances with live writing in motion. Drawing inspiration from Jacques Jouet’s "Subway Poems," this adaptation transforms them into "RER Poems," offering a unique, itinerant poetic voyage.

Two routes will be offered:
> 10:45 AM – 12:30 PM : François Mitterrand Library – Brétigny
> 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM : Brétigny-sur-Orge to Étampes

The journey combines aloud reading sessions with creative writing games during the train ride. It will conclude with a friendly gathering to share the texts and enjoy a convivial moment together.