Le concours de poésie
Submissions open on September 9 !
About
A space where words go beyond borders
Each year, the Poetry Contest by Culture Without Border brings together voices from around the world, united by one language: French.
From young children to adults, from native speakers to learners, everyone is invited to take part. What matters is not where you come from, but what you have to say.
All forms are welcome, free verse, poetic prose, classical structures,
as long as the poem is written in French.
More than a contest, it is a space to express, to share and to connect through words.
The 2026 Edition
La Géographie du cœur
Mapping the Heart
This year's theme invites you to explore the landscapes within us: our memories, dreams, encounters, roots, and the invisible paths that shape our lives.
What if your heart were a map?
Every poem tells a different story, and every participant brings a unique perspective.
How to participate
Taking part is simple. Follow these steps
Choose your category
Select the category that matches your age or level.
Follow the guidelines
Write Respect the format, length, and submission rules.
Submit your work
Upload your poem through the official form (Sept 9th)
Wait for the results
Each poem is reviewed anonymously by our jury.
Submissions will
open soon !
The submission form for the Francophone Poetry Contest will be available shortly.
We are currently finalizing the last details to ensure a smooth, accessible and meaningful experience for all participants.
The Poetry Contest is an invitation to celebrate
cultural diversity through words.
Let your voice be heard !
Contest Archives
Our very first edition brought together over 275 young poets from around the world, from ages 3 to 18. A beautiful anthology was published, and the winners were celebrated at the French Consulate in San Francisco.
The contest expanded across the U.S, Canada and overseas territories, welcoming even more schools and participants.
With diverse prizes and new partnerships, creativity flourished in every verse submitted.
For its third edition, the contest became truly international and intergenerational, now open to adults as well. With participants, the competition continues to celebrate the French language and poetry on a worldwide stage.
A Contest Open to the World
and All Generations
After several successful editions, the Poetry Contest is now taking flight with an expanded mission: to give a voice to lovers of the French language all around the world.
This year, we are delighted to welcome new prestigious partners and supporters such as Bayard Milan and Lireka, key players in the literary world, who will offer subscriptions, books and vouchers as prizes. Many participants, loyal year after year, return to share their words. New poets are also warmly welcomed to join this global poetic wave!
Prizes and Awards
Winners will have the chance to receive prizes generously provided by our partners, including subscriptions to francophone magazines, books, educational kits, and many other surprises. Beyond material rewards, it is also an opportunity to be published, gain international recognition, and take part in a multicultural ceremony both online and in person.
We have also had the pleasure of being featured in several media outlets such as lepetitjournal.com, French Morning , and other publications to come, demonstrating the growing enthusiasm for this project.
So, take up your pen, let your heart speak, and join this collective poetic
