The Espace Pandora association are opening applications to French-speaking writers for the 2026 René Leynaud Residency.

This is a one-month writing residency to be completed in Vénissieux, located in the metropolitan area of Lyon (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France), in October–November 2026.

In order to facilitate the promotion and dissemination of a work that they consider “necessary in today’s troubled times” and to support contemporary French-language poetry in all its forms, the Espace Pandora association and the Municipal Library of Lyon, with the support of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Regional Cultural Affairs Directorate, are organizing the René Leynaud creative residency.

Visit The Espace Pandora website for more information, and see this PDF for full details of the 2026 residency.

 

The Theme

The residency is aimed at encouraging the emergence of poetry and contemporary writing, promoting the spirit of resistance—understood in all its dimensions and components. Applicants must defend a certain view of the world today, faithful to the spirit of the poet René Leynaud, namely a spirit of resistance—past, present, or future.

 

What is Offered

The author will be provided with favourable conditions for creating. They will be hosted in an apartment provided by the Municipality and will be offered a writing grant of 2.000€.

 

What is Expected

The author will divide their time between creative work (70%) and public meetings. They must agree to participate in an evening event or in meetings organised in consultation with the host institution. These events may not exceed 30% of the residency period.

The author is expected to develop French-language poetry projects with a view to publication.

This residency is open to authors who have published between one and three works of contemporary French-language literature in short form (poetry, poetic prose, fragments), at least one of which must have been published in its first edition during the calendar year preceding the application and published by a publisher.

The following are not eligible for participation: self-published works, works published at the author’s expense, reissues, anthologies, or collective works.

 

Documents Required for Application

A statement of intent explaining your creative project in relation to the spirit of the residency

A bio-bibliography

At least one copy of a title published by a publisher during the calendar year preceding the application and reflecting the spirit of René Leynaud (resistance in all its forms).

If possible, a PDF version of the work, which will not be distributed outside the jury.

 

Residency calendar

January 12, 2026: publication of the call for applications.

February 28, 2026: deadline for submitting applications.

March–April 2026: review of applications and selection of the candidate.

October–November 2026: residency period defined with the selected author.

 

For further information, contact: direction@espacepandora.org