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Nights of Reading 2026: the must-attend literary event in January!

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The Editor

BnF Richelieu © Guillaume Murat/BnF

From January 21 to 25, 2026, the Nights of Reading, organized by the National Book Centre, will enchant Paris and all of France. On this occasion, nearly 8,000 literary events will be hosted across many venues.

There are events that we've marked on our calendars for a long time because it seems impossible to miss them at the start of this year. Among them, the 10th edition of the Nuits de la lecture, of course! This must-attend literary event will, for the very first time, take place over five days and five nights, in the capital, across France, and even beyond. The goal? To share the joy and importance of reading on a grand scale, in a friendly atmosphere, through more than 8000 events. And speaking of a special edition, we have exceptional patrons: the authors Marie-Hélène Lafon and Laurent Gaudé will take on this prestigious role.


The « cities and countryside » featured in the Nights of Reading 2026

This year, the event will take you from one chapter to another with the theme: « Cities and Countryside ». Libraries, bookstores, associations, schools and training institutions, monuments and museums, theaters and cultural centers, hospitals, correctional facilities, and early childhood structures... A wide variety of places will be involved in this event.

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The House of Victor Hugo, part of the participating venues ©Pierre Antoine

Meetings, workshops, readings, performances, and lots of other surprises will bring people together around the joy of reading, across all corners of France. From rural areas to city centers, thousands of communities will join in this literary celebration.


Dozens of Parisian cultural venues will participate

In the capital, this five-day event will kick off on Wednesday, January 21st at the House of Stories. Ground Control  will take over on Friday, January 23rd with a festive and literary evening dedicated to « the city of tomorrow ». The program will include a roundtable featuring the authors.Jean-Baptiste Del Amo, Audrey Pleynet, and Laurent Gaudé, a musical performance by Molécule with author Simon Johannin, followed by a DJ set from the Florentine Candy Club. An evening that promises to be unforgettable ! 

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©Florentine Candy Club

Exciting open readings will also take place at the National Library of France on January 23rd and 24th, while the Maison de Victor Hugo will host a theatrical performance on January 23rd. On Sunday, January 25th, enjoy a reading of excerpts from travel stories that will whisk you away to the Red Sea at the Arab World Institute. Whether at the Cognacq-Jay Museum or Palais Galliera, Arthur Rimbaud Library or James Baldwin Media Library, at the Cité de l'architecture or the Grand Palais... There will be something for everyone and every interest: it's up to you to choose!

Reading Nights
From January 21 to 25, 2026
More info