The Mondial du Rhum 2026: a journey to the heart of Terres & Territoires

Created to celebrate and raise awareness of the world of rum, the Mondial du Rhum has, in just a few years, become a not-to-be-missed event for professionals, enthusiasts and the curious. Its third edition, scheduled for February 11 to 13, 2026 at the Carreau du Temple in Paris, aims to go even further in promoting rum-producing regions. This year, the event is structured around a powerful thread: highlighting the countries, terroirs and communities behind each bottle.

Patrick Loger, founder of the event, insists on this human and territorial dimension: "Theaim is to highlight the people, the countries, the terroirs... to give them a showcase and enable everyone to discover these countries."We often forget that behind the glass of rum, there's a culture and traditions. We'd like to shed some light on that.

Spiritourism: an invitation to travel

In order to make these multiple identities visible, the Mondial du Rhum 2026 will put "spiritourisme" at the forefront. This notion goes far beyond visits to distilleries: it encompasses the discovery of a gastronomic, cultural, historical and architectural heritage. Rum thus becomes a travel guide, a prism for understanding the richness of the overseas and international territories that produce it. In this way, the show becomes a veritable crossroads of destinations, exploring both the flavours and the imaginations of these places.

An international gastronomic program with Gault&Millau

To illustrate this link between cultures and flavours, the 2026 edition will host a culinary cruise orchestrated by Gault&Millau. Over the three days of the event, nine top chefs - including Indra Carrillo(La Condesa, 2 toques), Alan Geaam (3 toques), Jean Rony Leriche(Leriche, 1 toque) and Edgar Bosquez(Ékume, 3 toques) - will take turns presenting a dish representative of their world. The aim of this gastronomic event is to showcase the cultural diversity and diplomatic openness that can also be found on a plate, while creating a subtle dialogue between cuisine and rum.

The Mondial du Rhum is also a platform committed to innovation and training. The Grand Prix de l'Écosystème Rhum, unveiled this year, will reward exemplary initiatives in authenticity, traceability, gastronomy, mixology and sustainability. In the same vein, the Émergence Pavilion will enable young players (artisans, farmers, blenders, new houses) to make their presence felt through a space reserved for them. "The Mondial du Rhum is constantly on the move, and open to young people who want to discover the trades," says Patrick Loger, who is committed to this mission of transmission.

Haiti, this year's guest of honor

This year, Haiti will be the guest of honor. The show will highlight not only its rums, but its entire cultural, economic and artistic ecosystem. The idea is to offer a cross-disciplinary experience that will enable visitors to understand the country's uniqueness and the depth of its heritage. "We want to showcase this country, not just in its liquid approach, but in a global vision of its ecosystem," explains Patrick Loger.

Conferences, sensory experiences and professional meetings

In addition to the tastings, the Mondial du Rhum will feature a rich program of conferences and masterclasses, including an edition of the G20 du Rhum, which will bring together international experts in the sector to discuss contemporary issues. A unique sensory experience, the Dual Perception Experience, designed with Dr. Muriel Jacquot and ENSAIA engineers, will explore rum from a scientific angle, working on taste perceptions. A haute couture fashion show, a prestige bar and several cultural events will round off the eclectic program.

A growing event

With 85 exhibitors and a target of 5,000 visitors, up from 3,000 last year, the Mondial du Rhum confirms its status as a major event for the industry. Mostly attended by professionals, the show nevertheless attracts a varied public, from experts to students, as well as amateurs eager to discover a rich and complex universe. through its workshops, meetings and educational approach, the event helps to raise awareness of rum-related professions and career paths.

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Beyond the show, a celebration of cultures and know-how

The 2026 edition of the Mondial du Rhum is distinguished by its ambition: to celebrate not just a spirit, but everything that gives it life. By showcasing producing regions, giving a place to young talent, and building bridges between gastronomy, innovation and heritage, the Mondial reminds us that rum is above all a human story. A story of tradition, travel, know-how and the future.