Prix Goncourt 2025: first selection announced from Paris

The Académie Goncourt has revealed the first list of novels in the running for France’s most coveted literary prize. A new season that confirms the importance of Paris as the epicenter of literary life.

On Wednesday September 3, 2025, the traditional back-to-school literary rendezvous was back in full swing: the first selection of the Prix Goncourt was announced from the famous Drouant restaurant, located in the 2ᵉ arrondissement of Paris. Some fifteen novels have been shortlisted, before a second selection on October 7, followed by the nomination of the four finalists and, finally, the announcement of the winner on November 4.

A century-old institution shaping the publishing landscape

Created in 1903, the Prix Goncourt remains France’s most prestigious literary award, albeit symbolically endowed with just 10 euros. In reality, the prize guarantees a massive commercial impact. Last year, Kamel Daoud won the prize for Houris, a powerful text about the black decade in Algeria, which sold almost 390,000 copies. A respectable figure, but less than the 600,000 sales of Veiller sur elle, the novel by Jean-Baptiste Andrea, the previous year’s winner.

Other recent successes?Hervé Le Tellier‘s L’Anomalie, still the best-selling paperback, with over 1.5 million copies sold.

A rich and diverse 2025 selection

This year’s shortlist includes Emmanuel Carrère ‘s high-profile Kolkhoze, as well as Nathacha Appanah, Laurent Mauvignier, Anne Berest and Alice Ferney. A well-balanced cocktail of established figures and writers with very personal worlds.

Laurent Mauvignier, in particular, offers a 700-page work of dense narrative inspiration, entitled Maison Vide (Empty House), which delves into family archives and revisits the late 19th century with finesse.

Paris, the beating heart of the literary scene

This announcement from the historic Drouant restaurant, the venue for the Goncourt awards, is a reminder of just how central Paris remains to French intellectual life. Numerous literary events, author meetings, conferences and debates will be held here until autumn, prolonging the effervescence of the fall season.

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