Les Rencontres de Cannes 2026

Category : Events

1 November 2026

November in Cannes is not only about the start of the quieter winter season.

From 7 November to 8 December 2026, the city will host another edition of Les Rencontres de Cannes, a cultural programme spread across several weeks and different venues around Cannes.

Rather than focusing on a single art form, the event moves between five main themes: literature, cinema, contemporary art, public debate and animation.

That variety makes it easy to dip in and out of the programme depending on what interests you most.

Five different ways to experience culture in Cannes

One of the strengths of Les Rencontres de Cannes is the range of events on offer.

You might spend one evening listening to an author, return a few days later for a film preview, then choose a discussion or an event centred on contemporary art.

There is no need to follow the programme from beginning to end. Visitors can simply choose the events that appeal to them and discover a different part of Cannes’ cultural scene each time.

Local organisations also take part alongside the City of Cannes, giving the programme a strong connection to the city itself.

Literature built around conversation

The literary programme places real emphasis on meeting and exchanging with writers and artists.

Rather than simply presenting books on stage, the events can include discussions, readings, workshops and meetings with authors and illustrators.

Children’s literature, graphic novels, comics and manga also feature within the wider programme.

In 2026, author and illustrator Tom Vaillant is due to take part in the literary events on 7 November.

The format feels more personal than a large book fair. There is more room to talk about the work itself, but also about how stories are written, illustrated and developed.

Cinema naturally plays a major role

In Cannes, a month dedicated to culture would hardly feel complete without cinema.

The 39th Rencontres Cinématographiques de Cannes will include previews, meetings with industry professionals, tributes and several events looking at both films and the people who make them.

Eight international feature films are expected to take part in the competition, while around twenty additional films are due to be shown in preview screenings.

Some sessions will also welcome directors or members of the film teams, giving audiences the chance to hear directly from the people involved in the productions.

A public presentation of the 39th edition is scheduled for 12 November at Espace Miramar.

For visitors, it offers a chance to reconnect with Cannes’ film culture several months after the main Film Festival, but in a more relaxed and conversational setting.

From contemporary art to animation

The programme extends well beyond books and cinema.

Contemporary art has its own dedicated events, with opportunities to look more closely at artists, their work and the ideas behind it.

Animation adds another dimension, with a focus on moving images, short films and different ways of telling stories through drawing and visual creation.

It gives the programme a broader creative identity and makes it interesting for anyone curious about art, illustration or visual storytelling.

Time for discussion as well as discovery

Les Rencontres de Cannes also makes space for public debate.

Culture is not treated simply as something to watch or consume. Some events are built around discussion, giving speakers and audiences the chance to explore ideas in more depth.

This balance between screenings, meetings, workshops and conversations keeps the programme varied throughout the month.

Cultural events across Cannes

Les Rencontres de Cannes does not take place in a single venue.

Depending on the event, the programme moves between different cultural spaces around the city, including Espace Miramar, media libraries and other venues dedicated to arts and culture.

That also makes the event a good way to discover different parts of Cannes rather than staying in one area.

For visitors planning to attend several events, staying in the city centre makes getting around much easier. Hotel Alnéa is well placed for reaching several cultural venues while also keeping the centre of Cannes within easy walking distance.