Monaco’s commitment to intellectual life will once again be in the spotlight with the return of the PhiloMonaco Prize, an annual distinction recognising outstanding philosophical works published in French.
Organised by the Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco, the award honours a book released in the previous year that stands out for its originality, rigour and relevance to contemporary thought. The selected work is expected to go beyond strictly academic frameworks while avoiding oversimplification, offering fresh perspectives and opening new avenues for reflection.
The 2026 jury will be chaired by Robert Maggiori and includes a distinguished panel of thinkers and writers such as Charlotte Casiraghi, Sandra Laugier and Claire Marin, among others.
Alongside the main essay prize, several complementary distinctions will also be awarded. The PhiloMonaco Publisher’s Prize recognises a French-language publishing house for its contribution to philosophical literature, with selected works donated to the Médiathèque Caroline. Meanwhile, the PhiloMonaco High School Prize highlights young talent in the Principality, rewarding students through a written competition organised in collaboration with Monaco’s education authorities.
Another key distinction, the Prix de la Principauté, is awarded jointly with the Fondation Prince Pierre de Monaco. This lifetime achievement award honours a philosopher whose body of work has made a lasting impact across disciplines such as politics, ethics, history and the social sciences. Recent laureates include Souleymane Bachir Diagne, who will deliver a special lecture in Paris on June 12 as part of this year’s programme.
The 2026 edition will unfold across both Paris and Monaco. A public discussion with the five finalists is scheduled for May 21 at the Maison de la Poésie in Paris, before the official awards ceremony takes place on June 25 at the Théâtre Princesse Grace.
Blending academic excellence with public engagement, the PhiloMonaco Prize continues to reinforce Monaco’s position as a hub for contemporary philosophical debate.
