Deprived of the Angoulême International Comics Festival this year, the Paris Book Festival will partially fill the void. Held at the Grand Palais from April 17 to 19, 2026, the Paris Book Festival has chosen to highlight comics while maintaining a broad, overarching theme of travel. The poster for the 2026 edition is by François Schuiten, and names like Ugo Bienvenu and Zep are already among the first guests announced before the full program is revealed on February 25.
An expanded comics showcase beyond autograph sessions
Around 1,200 authors are expected, along with nearly 450 publishing houses. The lineup blends literature and graphic design, and also includes personalities such as Amélie Nothomb, Andrei Kurkov, Laurent Mauvignier, Souleymane Bachir Diagne, Jacques Attali, and Philippe Etchebest, as reported by franceinfo. Organizers are presenting this edition as a special format, with comics replacing the traditional guest country, a choice directly linked to the absence of the Angoulême International Comics Festival in 2026.
In the background, some observers point out that the Paris Book Festival is historically linked to the French Publishers Association (Syndicat national de l'édition), where Vincent Montagne, head of Média-Participations (a group with a strong presence in the comics industry), plays a central role. This focus on comics thus appears to be a way of maintaining a major publishing showcase in a year when the sector's calendar has been disrupted.
Late-night events, noticeable absences, and partnerships discussed
In terms of format, the organizers are announcing a new feature: a late-night opening on Friday, conceived as a highlight where books will engage in dialogue with other worlds, particularly gastronomy and the culinary arts, according to the presentation reported by franceinfo. Another notable point: the absence of Hachette Livre, which has chosen to launch its own event in Paris in March to celebrate its bicentenary.
Finally, the festival is also preparing with partners who are generating controversy in the book world. Amazon announced its partnership with the event in a press release on February 10th. This presence contrasts sharply with the recurring criticism leveled at the e-commerce giant within parts of the book industry, particularly among independent publishers and booksellers. As April approaches, the details of the comics program—exhibitions, meetings, debates, and the time allotted to authors for signings—will be closely scrutinized, in a year when the issue of creators' participation remains particularly sensitive.
