My French Book Fest 2026

About this event

The fifth edition of My French Book Fest invites families to a free Open Day and French Book Fair on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans. Open to everyone, the celebration will bring French language and Creole books, stories, and music together with hands-on workshops, public readings, and activities for all ages, highlighting the role of French and Creole books in Louisiana’s cultural and educational life.

This year's guest author, Francine Vidal, will do a public-reading of her best-seller book, translated in 16 languages, The Big Wide-Mouthed Frog, at 1:00pm.

Live music will feature Louisiana-based artists: Mardi de Musique at 12:00 p.m., followed at 2:00 p.m. by T’Monde, the Cajun duo featuring Drew and Kel. Visitors can also enjoy French food, including crêpes from Crêpes Rendez-vous and saucisson with Chef Sully.

The Open Day offers children, parents, educators, and book lovers an opportunity to meet authors, explore French-language and Creole books, and take part in a shared celebration of reading. This event is open to all and admission is free.

A fifth edition across Louisiana

Presented by the Consulate General of France in Louisiana and Villa Albertine, in partnership with Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans, My French Book Fest is Louisiana’s only youth literature festival entirely in French. Its fifth edition brings authors, illustrators, and students from across the Francophone world together in New Orleans, Lafayette, and Baton Rouge, with events scheduled from November 4 through November 15, 2026.

Through interactive workshops, storytelling, book signings, school visits, and a bilingual literature showcase, the festival encourages young people to read in French and discover the diversity of Francophone literature. Programming connects classroom learning with opportunities for families and the wider community to engage with books and their creators.

Guests include French storyteller and children’s author Francine Vidal; French author and illustrator Gaëtan Dorémus; Franco-Manitoban storyteller, poet, and musician Rob Malo; Canadian singer-songwriter Andrina Turenne; Drew and Kelli of the band T-Monde; and the band Mardi de Musique. Louisiana artists Henry Barconey and Jonathan “radbwa faroush” Mayers will lead a workshop on Louisiana Creole language.

Other Festival highlights by location

New Orleans | November 4–12. School-based events November 4–12, Alliance Française field trips November 4–6. The following events are open to all:

New Orleans Public Library

Public Reading Workshop with author Francine Vidal – Saturday, November 7, from 10:30 to 11:30 AM at the Milton H. Latter Memorial Library.

“Draw Wild Animals!” Workshop with author and illustrator Gaëtan Dorémus – Thursday, November 12, from 4:00 to 5:00 PM at the Cita Dennis Hubbell Library.

Lafayette | November 10–13. School based events November 11 to 13. The following events are open to the public:

Public Reading and Performance with multidisciplinary artist Rob Malo – Tuesday, November 10, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at Cavalier House Books.

Workshop and reading with author Francine Vidal – Friday, November 13, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM at the Alliance Française de Lafayette

Baton Rouge | November 12-14. School field trips at the West Baton Rouge Museum November 12-13. The following event is open to all:

Public Day at the West Baton Rouge Museum – a day of workshops and performances featuring multidisciplinary artist Rob Malo, starting at 10:00 AM.