Philippe Jaenada won the 2026 Prix Goncourt for the novel “L’Inconnue du quai de Javel”

Philippe Jaenada won the 2026 Goncourt Prize on Tuesday for the novel “L’Inconnue du quai de Javel,” in which he investigates the murder of a young Breton woman at the end of the 1950s. The 62-year-old French writer succeeds Laurent Mauvignier, the winner of the previous edition.

The award-winning novel continues Jaenada’s interest in criminal cases and in reconstructing destinies marked by violence and mystery. The author has built a loyal readership through substantial works such as “Sulak,” published in 2013, “La Petite Femelle,” released in 2015, and “La Serpe,” which was awarded the Femina Prize in 2017.

The other finalists for the prestigious literary prize were Yannick Haenel, with “La solitude des professeurs est infinie,” Sylvain Prudhomme, with “De l’autre côté du lac,” and Clémentine Mélois, author of the novel “Choses que je croyais perdues.”

The Goncourt Prize jury had nine members this year, instead of ten, following the death of Didier Decoin in August. A replacement is to be appointed by the end of the year.