Spring Poets’ Festival 2026: Free Activities to Celebrate Poetry Across Paris andÎle-de-France

The Printemps des Poètes is returning this year for its 28th edition, with the theme "Freedom". This follows previous themes such as Volcanic, Grace, Borders, Courage, Passion, and Beauty. The event features a wide range of artistic and cultural performances open to the public, taking place from March 9 to 31, 2026, across various libraries, media centers, and bookshops throughout the Île-de-France region.

This is a perfect opportunity for poetry enthusiasts and curious visitors alike to explore the rich diversity of contemporary poetry. It also offers a chance to examine this vibrant, fully expres­sive force of freedom—narrated through a storytelling approach that defies conventional ideas and stands against the elements that stifle or hinder movement, whether in society or within oneself. The patron of this edition is Isabelle Adjani.

On the agenda: reading, of course, but also writing workshops, poetic walks, film screenings, live music, and creative activities in all their forms. All these performances are free of charge and available in their entirety on the event website! So, are you ready to add a little poetry to your life?

A glimpse of the program

• Propulsion Launch Event - March 9th - Conciergerie

Voices and diverse styles of contemporary French poetry will stand out, bursting with the energy of rock rhythms.

• French-speaking Poetry - March 10 - Alliance Française in Paris

A gathering of four poets from Lebanon, Morocco, Cameroon, and Quebec (Rim Battal, Sofia Karampali Farhat, Marc-Alexandre Oho Bambe, Rodney Saint-Eloi) exploring the French language as a space for creativity and cultural exchange.

• Architectural and poetic trail – March 14-15 – Louis Vuitton Foundation

The Louis Vuitton Foundation partners with Printemps des Poètes to offer a series of architectural and poetic journeys, blending visits to its headquarters—an iconic vessel-shaped building designed by Frank Gehry—with creative writing workshops. These sessions for young audiences are led by poets Margot Ferrera and Souleymane Diamanka. Additionally, open-to-all tours are hosted by poet Suzanne Rault-Balet.

• Polyphonic Recital for Peace - March 17 - International University City

Featuring poet and pianist Laure Cambau, along with writer Lise Gauvin, who will be sharing her own work as well as poetry by Joséphine Bacon, Linda Maria Baros, Nicole Brossard, Ananda Devi, Louise Dupré, and Ouanessa Younsi.

• Poetic Ping Pong - March 18 and 19 - Île St. Pierre Media Library in Alforville

Fanny Pageaud suggests creating an artist's book that merges both content and design, inspired by her recent publication Po & Zi released by Éditions À pas de Loups. Working in pairs, participants will exchange "small sentences" with a partner — fingers crossed, for some lively back-and-forth!

• International Poetic Descent - March 19 - Panthéon

An immersive binaural reading showcasing contemporary international poetry, featuring poets from Argentina, India, Hungary, Germany, and Poland. The French narration is performed by writer and actor Gabriel Dufay.

• Note to myself - March 24 - Memorial to the Martyrs of Deportation

Readings of texts by Primo Levi, Marianne Cohn, Benjamin Fondane, Arthur Poitevin, and Robert Desnos, bringing to life the voices of deportees through the very stones of the site. Directed by Éric Cénat.

Literary Events to Catch This March 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France
Big and small readers, Paris and its surrounding region always have something special in store for you! This French capital, home to countless poets and writers over the centuries, will be hosting a series of literary events in March 2026 that you won't want to miss! [Read more]