The Cagnotte Prize, a literary award that originated in a bar in Belleville, has revealed its 2026 shortlist of ten novels. Established to celebrate works where creative storytelling is paired with narratives that deeply move readers, the prize is judged by a panel of volunteers including a screenwriter, authors, a bookseller, and a visual artist. The ten novels selected were published between January and October 2026 and include: Néhémy Dahomey’s L'Ordre immuable des choses (Seuil); Lucile Novat’s Voir Venir (Sous-Sol); Lucie Rico’s Mais que fait ce sang sur le pull de Jennifer ? (P.O.L.); Joséphine Tassy’s Vagabondes (L'Iconoclaste); Osvalde Lewat’s Un corps indocile (Philippe Rey / Jimsaan); Jonas Sollberger’s Viens Elie (Minuit); Camille Pelletier’s Un ange passe (Le Nouvel Attila); Sam Bouffandeau’s Humain (Verticales); Hemley Boum’s Nos vies sauvages (Gallimard); and Clara Pacotte’s Maboulé (La Volte). Recent winners of the prize include Léna Ghar, who received the award in 2023 for her novel Tumeur ou tutu (Verticales), and Karim Kattan, who was honored in 2024 for L’Éden à l’aube (Elyzad). The Cagnotte Prize was not awarded in 2025, as the organizing team decided to take a break due to time constraints and the difficulty of maintaining high standards in the selection process. The jury, made up entirely of volunteers, cited various personal and professional challenges, including a move to the Villa Médicis, a birth, and the publication of a third novel. Following this hiatus, the prize has welcomed new founding members: Elina Gakou-Gomba, Mathilde Forget, Elitza Gueorguieva, Lucile Dumont, and Fairouz M’Silti. The current jury members are Victoria Caze, Manel Ben Boubaker, Louise Groult, Elina Gakou-Gomba, Chloé Malanda, Houyem Rebai, and Amarillys Siassia. The winner of the Cagnotte Prize will be announced on Thursday, December 3, 2026, at 19:30, during an evening event at La Cagnotte, located at 114 rue de Belleville in Paris. The event will feature a review of the entire shortlisted collection, with the partner bookstore Le Genre urbain present to sell the ten books. The prize for the winning author includes a bottle of champagne and a surprise gift bag. The occasion also serves as a celebration of the joy of bringing books to life in a bar in Belleville, a unique and intimate setting for literary recognition. This year’s shortlist reflects a diverse range of voices and themes, showcasing the continued relevance of the Cagnotte Prize in supporting emerging and established literary talent. The event promises to be a gathering of readers, writers, and literary enthusiasts, highlighting the cultural significance of storytelling in a neighborhood known for its artistic and intellectual vibrancy.