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Philippe Jaenada and François-Henri Désérable win the 2026 literary awards

Philippe Jaenada received the Goncourt Prize, while François-Henri Désérable won the Renaudot at the ceremony on November 3.

3 November 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Philippe Jaenada and François-Henri Désérable win the 2026 literary awards — Photo: Ji-Elle · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

The 2026 Goncourt Prize was awarded to Philippe Jaenada for his novel "L’Inconnue du quai de Javel" during the ceremony held at the Drouant restaurant in Paris. Jaenada succeeds Laurent Mauvignier, the winner from the previous year.

In his work, Jaenada explores the mysterious case of the death of Louise Cansot, a young model in Paris in 1949, influenced by the character of Inspector Maigret.

Meanwhile, the 2026 Renaudot Prize was awarded to François-Henri Désérable for his novel "Le Palais," which centers on a young Indian orphan adopted by a winemaking family in Beaune.

This award serves as recognition for Désérable, known for his refined and engaged literary style.

The Goncourt jury expressed its support for Jaenada, who received six votes to three for Sylvain Prudhomme. The Renaudot Prize also highlighted another winner, Jean-Christophe Buisson, known for his role as deputy director at Figaro Magazine.

The awards are considered among the highest literary distinctions in France, drawing attention to contemporary authors and their works. This year, both laureates display a strong commitment in their narratives.

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