FLB 2026: Brussels’ book festival brings Amélie Nothomb, Sapkowski, Maïa Mazaurette & more to Tour & Taxis

FLB – la Foire du Livre de Bruxelles – is getting ready to turn Tour & Taxis into a giant playground for readers again. For its 2026 edition, the festival gathers major Francophone and international names, from Amélie Nothomb to Andrzej Sapkowski, alongside a strong comics, manga and youth literature line‑up, spread across themed spaces at Gare Maritime.​

Big names, intimate encounters

On the literary side, FLB 2026 welcomes some of the most recognisable voices in contemporary fiction and non‑fiction: Amélie Nothomb, Sorj Chalandon, David Foenkinos, Philippe Besson, David Diop, Alain Mabanckou, Christine Ockrent, Étienne Klein and many others. Fantasy fans get a rare chance to meet Andrzej Sapkowski, the Polish author behind The Witcher, while columnists and journalists such as Edwy Plenel, Ambre Chalumeau, Jean‑Michel Aphatie or Paul Gasnier bring a sharp media edge to the programme.​

Romance, feel‑good and pop fiction are also very present with authors like Maud Ankaoua, Mélissa Da Costa, Emma Green, Serena Giuliano, Morgane Moncomble or Laura Swan. Sex and relationships columnist Maïa Mazaurette adds a spicy, contemporary perspective, while crime and noir lovers can look out for the Prix du roman noir and dedicated meetings around the genre.

Comics, manga & visual storytelling at Gare Maritime

Visual storytelling is front and centre with a dense comics programme and a dedicated BD area at Gare Maritime, featuring big names like Philippe Geluck, Brecht Evens, Emmanuel Lepage or Vanyda. Exhibitions spread across Hall 2 and Hall 3 highlight original artwork, curated selections and thematic journeys into the world of graphic novels and illustration.​

Manga fans get their own space with the Quartier Manga, a dedicated area within Gare Maritime that pulls together publishers, authors, signings and activities for a community that keeps growing year after year. Throughout the halls, remise de prix, special events and the “Place à l’Europe” focus bring a European dimension to the programme, with invited authors and publishers from across the continent.​

Free tickets, pro days and youth focus

One of FLB’s signatures is accessibility: tickets are free, making it easy for families, schools and curious visitors to simply drop by and explore. A full programme grid and map help navigate the different zones and stages, from big‑audience talks to more intimate encounters.​

On the professional side, the festival hosts “Temps pros”, PILEn meetings and workshops such as “Éditer en francophonie”, dedicated to the ecosystem around books, translation and publishing. Youth is a major focus, with professional youth days, a “Du livre à l’animation” track, school activities and the “Objectif lire” initiative aimed at boosting reading among young audiences.​

With dedicated pages for authors, exhibitors and publishers, plus sections for schools, press, volunteers and jobs, FLB positions itself not just as a book fair, but as a full ecosystem where readers, creators and professionals meet in the middle of Brussels’ most impressive covered hall.

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