Prix PhiloMonaco de l’Essai 2026: the Five Finalists Announced for the Philosophy Prize

The five finalists for the Prix PhiloMonaco de l’Essai 2026, the prestigious award promoted by the Rencontres Philosophiiques de Monaco and dedicated to the best philosophy essays published in French over the past year, have officially been announced.

A public conversation with the shortlisted authors will take place on Thursday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Maison de la Poésie in Paris, located on rue Saint-Martin.

The selected works explore some of the most relevant themes in contemporary philosophy, ranging from artificial intelligence and inner modernity to disobedience, animality and human emotions.

The Five Finalists for the Prix PhiloMonaco de l’Essai 2026

The jury selected the following authors and books:

• Estelle Ferrarese, Une philosophie des sanglots (Éditions Rivages)
• Thibaut Giraud, La parole aux machines. Philosophie des grands modèles de langage (Éditions Grasset)
• Eva Illouz, Explosive modernité. Malaise dans la vie intérieure (Éditions Gallimard)
• Clotilde Leguil, La Déprise. Essai sur les ressorts intimes de la désobéissance (Éditions du Seuil)
• Bertrand Prévost, L’Élégance animale (Les Éditions de Minuit)

The shortlisted books reflect some of the most innovative perspectives in contemporary French-language philosophy, opening new ways of thinking about society, technology and human experience.

The Event at Maison de la Poésie in Paris

The May 21 event will give audiences the opportunity to engage directly with the five finalists of the Prix PhiloMonaco de l’Essai 2026.

Hosted at the Maison de la Poésie, one of Paris’ leading cultural venues for literary and philosophical debate, the event marks one of the highlights leading up to the award ceremony.

When the Winner Will Be Announced

The winner of the Prix PhiloMonaco de l’Essai 2026 will be announced and awarded on June 25 in Monaco during PhiloMonaco Week, in the presence of the founding members and the jury.

Each year, the prize honors a philosophy book published in French that stands out for its rigor, originality and ability to open new paths for contemporary thought.

Prix PhiloMonaco de l’Éditeur 2026

Alongside the main award, the Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco also present the Prix PhiloMonaco de l’Éditeur, recognizing a French-language publisher or editorial collection distinguished for publishing major philosophical works.

The 2026 prize has been awarded to Éditions Jérôme Millon.

For reservations and information:
Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco – event booking