The Philippe Sollers Prize has revealed its 2026 shortlist, which includes twelve works from a year marked by challenges and changes. The prize, named after the late French writer and philosopher Philippe Sollers (1936-2023), seeks to honor an essay or work of fiction that continues his vision of a "war of taste." This concept emphasizes literature that is free, original, and resists what the organizers call the "increasingly pervasive nihilism of the era." The award is a tribute to Sollers' legacy, which valued artistic independence and intellectual rigor. The shortlisted works include Bataille au procès by Patrice Trigano (Éditions Maurice Nadeau), Défections & Cie by Infernus Iohannes (Rivages), Faire la peau by Louise Chennevière (P.O.L), L'Architecte de Notre-Dame by Aurélien Bellanger (Actes Sud), La Fêlure by Charlotte Casiraghi (Julliard), La Guerre éternelle by Olivier Rolin (Gallimard), La solitude des professeurs est infinie by Yannick Haenel (Gallimard), Les Trois Hortense by Adrien Goetz (Grasset), Ma vie avec Simone de Beauvoir by Angie David (Gallimard), François d'Assise, l'insensé de Dieu (Manifeste incertain 11) by Frédéric Pajak (Noir sur Blanc), Mémoires provisoires by Bernard-Henri Lévy (Olivier Nora Éditions / Plon), and Shanghai, cinq heures quarante by Ada Walter (Calmann-Lévy). These works span a range of genres and styles, reflecting the diversity of contemporary French literature. The prize was initially launched in 2025 under the name "Philippe Sollers Prize, Grand Hôtel Cayré," and was associated with a Parisian hotel. The original jury included notable figures such as Frédéric Beigbeder, Éric Naulleau, and Marc Lambron. However, several members left the project, and the hotel eventually withdrew from the arrangement. Philippe Forest, who continues to serve as president of the jury, explained that differing visions of the prize led to an "amicable separation." The award now takes place at the Café Beaubourg, a venue designed by architect Christian de Portzamparc in 1987. The café is adorned with pages from Paradis, a novel by Philippe Sollers. For the 2026 edition, the jury includes 14 members, with notable additions such as Laure Adler, Catherine Cusset, Alexandre Duval-Stalla, Yorick Secretin, and Arnaud Viviant. Jacques Henric and Catherine Millet are no longer on the list. Philippe Forest remains president, and Christian de Portzamparc, the designer of the Café Beaubourg, continues to be involved. The first edition of the prize, despite the changes, concluded successfully, awarding Feux sacrés by Cécile Guilbert (Grasset) in the narrative category and Les Lois et les Nombres by Romain Graziani (Gallimard) in the essay category. The 2026 shortlist will be narrowed down on October 16, with the winner to be announced on November 27 at 6:00 PM at the Café Beaubourg.