A Literary Cathedral: French Pavilion at World Book Fair 2026

The French Pavilion at the World Book Fair 2026 in New Delhi seamlessly fused literature, architecture, and sustainability. Designed by The Design Village and Studio Archohm, the pavilion showcased French literary heritage while echoing the resilience of Notre-Dame Cathedral. Bamboo construction highlighted Indo-French cooperation and sustainability, celebrating a timeless cultural dialogue.

The Design Village collaborated with Studio Archohm to create the French Pavilion at the World Book Fair 2026 in New Delhi, held from January 10 to 18. This immersive pavilion highlighted cultural ties between France and India, focusing on literature, architecture, and sustainability to enhance France's role as Guest of Honour.

Mridu Sahai Patnaik, Co-Founder of The Design Village, emphasized the project as a blend of literary excellence and vernacular knowledge, with the bamboo structure symbolizing the deep cultural and historical connections between the countries. The pavilion's design drew inspiration from Notre-Dame Cathedral, underlining themes of resilience and cultural heritage.

Grégor TRUMEL of the French Embassy in India called the pavilion a 'literary cathedral' where the value of books and freedom of expression are celebrated. The design nurtured discussions on the publishing industry's future, further solidifying the pavilion's role as a beacon for cross-cultural engagement and sustainable innovation.

(With inputs from agencies.)