Photo : L'école des loisirs
Grand interview with Grégoire Solotareff
Meeting with Marie Desplechin. A generous dialogue between albums and personal images around the career of the beloved author-illustrator of thousands of children.
Médiathèque Françoise Sagan (Paris 10th)
About
It all started with the wolf Loulou for Grégoire Solotareff.
In the company of author and journalist Marie Desplechin, come discover or rediscover the great author and illustrator Grégoire Solotareff, born in 1953 in Alexandria, Egypt. He has written and illustrated more than two hundred and fifty albums and books in over thirty years of creation in the field of illustration and children's publishing. Beyond the years gone by and the number of books published, Grégoire Solotareff has created numerous other visual elements, such as thousands of photographs, drawings, sculptures, collections of images, animated films, plays, scripts… And also significant work as a collection director at l’école des loisirs, with Loulou & Cie, created in 1994.
During this evening, his first memories of drawing will be discussed, as well as his fascination or fear of the wolf, this iconic character in his work, but also friendship and the love of creating and writing with others and for others. He will also talk about the adaptation of his literary work into animated films, his César for Best Animated Feature Film in 2014 for Loulou, l'incroyable secret, or U; but also his passion for photography, the other image of his life.
Note: The meeting will be followed by a book signing, with the new L’illu bookstore, Paris 10th
Marie Desplechin: writer, screenwriter, journalist, environmental activist, Marie Desplechin has written about a hundred books. In those intended for children, she explores different literary veins.
To read: Gaza. Eux, c’est nous, by Marie Desplechin, illustrated by Serge Bloch, published by Les Éditeurs jeunesse avec les enfants de Gaza.
Mes copains, by Grégoire Solotareff, published by L’école des Loisirs, 2026
Our take on this event
Step into the creative world of the mind behind the legendary wolf Loulou during an exclusive conversation held in the heart of the 10th. Alongside journalist Marie Desplechin, this prolific illustrator will share insights into his vast body of work, spanning from childhood sketches to award-winning animated films. It is a rare opportunity for fans and storytellers alike to discover the inspirations behind his iconic characters and artistic evolution.
The Médiathèque Françoise Sagan hosts an exclusive evening with celebrated author and illustrator Grégoire Solotareff on Thursday, December 3, 2026. In conversation with journalist Marie Desplechin, Solotareff will reflect on his thirty-year career, his iconic character Loulou, and his diverse contributions to children's literature and animation. This event provides a rare look into his creative process, from initial sketches to his award-winning film work. Admission is free, though reservations are required and can be made online, by phone, or at the library. The venue is wheelchair accessible, ensuring that all guests can enjoy this insightful presentation.
On Thursday, December 3, 2026, from 19:00 to 21:00, the Médiathèque Françoise Sagan in the 10th arrondissement invites you to a special talk featuring Grégoire Solotareff. Joined by author and journalist Marie Desplechin, Solotareff will look back at his extensive body of work, comprising over two hundred and fifty titles. The conversation will cover his early drawing memories, his fascination with the wolf as a recurring motif, and his collaborative approach to writing and illustration.
Beyond his literary achievements, the evening will highlight his work in animation, including his 2014 César-winning film, as well as his deep interest in photography. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a book signing session following the talk, hosted by the local bookstore L'illu.
The event is free of charge. To attend, please secure your spot by booking online, by phone, or by speaking with the librarians on-site. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible.
