Philippe Jaenada has won the 2026 Prix Goncourt for L’Inconnue du quai de Javel, published by Flammarion. The 10-member Académie Goncourt announced its choice on Tuesday at the Drouant restaurant in Paris, following the prize’s tradition. Jaenada had previously been among the finalists four times.
The novel revisits the story of Louise Cansot, who arrived in Paris alone at 16 and became a sought-after model for Montparnasse painters. She was found murdered beside the Seine in September 1949, at the Quai de Javel. Police identified four suspects, but the case was never solved.
L’Inconnue du quai de Javel is Jaenada’s 13th novel. The writer and translator received the Prix de Flore in 1997 for El camello salvaje, which was later published in Spanish by Siruela.
This year’s prize has also been marked by controversy over the disqualification of Canadian author Thélyson Orélien’s C’était ça ou mourir, following allegations of plagiarism and the use of artificial intelligence.
Sources: El País Cultura.