Literary association · First Novel Festival · Chambéry

Lectures Plurielles : Experiencing literature in all its forms.

See our events Join a reading group The full shortlist (in French)

first First Novel Festival: 1987
reading groups voted in 2026: 106
reading languages: 6
Festival in May 2027: 40

Since 1987, we have been bringing first novels to readers wherever you least expect them: in reading groups, in classrooms, in prison, in hospital, in France and far beyond.

Lectures Plurielles brings readers and authors together throughout the season, leading up to the First Novel Festival in Chambéry, whose prizewinners are chosen by the reading groups.

About the association

40th First Novel Festival · 2026-2027 shortlist

62 first novels on the shortlist

From nearly 300 first novels published this year, our selection committee picks around 70. Reading groups discover them throughout the season and choose the Festival prizewinners. The list grows in waves: here are a few of them.

The full shortlist (in French)Read extracts on Alphalire

Coming up

The next events of the season.Our news and events are published in French.

All events

Évènement partenaire
Inauguration Week End cinéma allemand
19:00 · Espace Lectures Plurielles
Accompagnement & formation
Atelier - aiguiser l'esprit critique
9:30 · Espace Lectures Plurielles
Exposition & Spectacle
Lecture musicale à la grande vente Emmaüs
14:00 · Emmaüs - La Motte-Servolex

Our work

Bringing reading to everyone, everywhere.

Readers’ exchanges
Reading groups, literary evenings, reviews.
High school projects
Reading, writing and meeting authors with secondary school students.
Behind the walls
Reading and writing in prisons.
Reading support
Hospital, disability, reading aloud.
International
Italy, Germany, Romania, Belgium, Quebec, Burkina Faso, Lebanon…
Writing residencies
Authors in residence in hospitals, schools and prisons.