New prize honors Alexandre Dumas

A new literary prize named after Alexandre Dumas has been launched after 20 years of effort by writer and historian Claude Ribbe. The prize, funded with 2000 euros, will reward one of nine novels selected for its first edition, with the winner to be announced on December 5, 2026, the anniversary of Alexandre Dumas' death in 1870.

Origins of the prize

The idea for the prize dates back to 2006, when Ribbe founded the Friends of General Dumas Association on the bicentenary of Thomas-Alexandre Dumas' death. The aim was to promote the general and his descendants, including Alexandre Dumas, and the prize was finally realized this year after discussions with journalist François Cérésa over more than ten years.

Focus on historical novels

The prize aims to address the underrepresentation of historical novels in major literary awards, despite the genre's popularity. Ribbe notes that while there are existing prizes such as the Maurice-Druon Prize and the Blois Historical Novel Prize, the genre remains insufficiently recognized. A first Alexandre-Dumas Prize was created in 1972 by the Friends of Alexandre Dumas Association but has since disappeared.

Selected novels and jury

Nine novels have been selected for the first edition, including works by authors such as Chloé Dubreuil, Isabelle Duquesnoy, Philippe Jaenada, Christian Jacq, Serge Joncour, Nils Minkmar, Jessica L. Nelson, Camille Pascal, and Manon Tallien de Cabarrus. The prize distinguishes historical novels published in French since December 6, 2025, combining literary demand and historical anchoring. The jury, which includes François Cérésa, Philippe Delaroche, Adrien Goetz, Marie-Françoise Limon-Bonnet, Yasmine Murat, and Laurent Pernot, will select the winner.

Funding and future plans

The prize's funding comes from the Friends of General Dumas Association, supported by several partners, though their identities are not yet disclosed. The association will also cover the jury's lunch on December 5. Discussions have been initiated with the municipality of Villers-Cotterêts to hold the deliberations there. Ribbe is seeking support to organize an official award ceremony.

AI and authorship

The issue of artificial intelligence has entered the discussions, resonating with Alexandre Dumas' own use of collaborators like Auguste Maquet. Ribbe notes that while the use of AI is a current topic, the essential question is the part of creation that remains the writer's. He states that knowing an author was helped by AI but rewrote the work would not bother him, but rewarding an AI without significant rewriting would be awkward. This position remains personal, with each jury member having their own sensitivity.

Ribbe's personal connection

Ribbe hopes the prize will find its place in bookstores and be established in the long term. He regrets not being able to claim the award himself, as his latest novel, Le Diable noir, retraces the fate of General Thomas-Alexandre Dumas. The selected novels include Une couronne d'immortelles by Isabelle Duquesnoy, L'inconnue du quai de Javel by Philippe Jaenada, Les Mystères d'Isis by Christian Jacq, Une histoire d'amours by Serge Joncour, Le Chat de Montaigne by Nils Minkmar, Les Amants du Vercors by Jessica L. Nelson, Le Bal des foudroyés by Camille Pascal, and Thérésia, l'oubliée de la Révolution by Manon Tallien de Cabarrus.