Paris Book Festival 2026 highlights global literary diversity and cultural dialogue

From April 17 to 19, 2026, the Paris Book Festival took place at the Nouveau Grand Palais, bringing together more than 100,000 visitors and thousands of authors from around the world.

As one of the major literary events in Europe, the festival showcases the richness and diversity of contemporary publishing.

Presidential visit emphasizes importance of reading

On April 17, French President Emmanuel Macron attended the event, meeting publishers, exhibitors, and key figures from the book industry.

Following his visit to Villers-Cotterêts the previous day, he highlighted reading as a fundamental tool for education, cultural openness, and personal development.

A global platform for authors

The festival gathered a wide range of writers, including novelists, poets, essayists, and illustrators.

Among the featured authors were Hugo Clément, Simonetta Greggio, Christine Ockrent, Philippe Etchebest, Andreï Kourkov, Jacques Attali, Tatiana de Rosnay, and Souleymane Bachir Diagne.

A changing publishing landscape

The 2026 edition takes place in a context of transformation within the publishing industry.

The departure of Olivier Nora from Editions Grasset and the absence of the Hachette group reflect ongoing shifts and tensions in the sector.

Comic books as guest of honor

With the cancellation of the International Comics Festival due to a major boycott, the Paris Book Festival chose to highlight comic books as the guest of honor.

This decision underlines the growing importance of graphic novels and comics in global publishing and their increasing influence across audiences.

A historic literary event

The Paris Book Festival replaces the former Paris Book Fair, created in 1981 by the National Publishing Union under the influence of Jack Lang.

Since 2025, it has been held at the Nouveau Grand Palais, reinforcing its prestige and international visibility.

A space for dialogue and culture

Beyond book signings and conferences, the festival serves as a platform for cultural exchange, bringing together professionals and readers from diverse backgrounds.

It reflects the evolving role of literature in a globalized world, where stories, ideas, and cultures continue to connect people across borders.

©2026 – IMPACT EUROPEAN

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