The Award Ceremony of the 2025 Prix Castel, An Ode to Literature
On November 13th, the Paris restaurant Castel revived the excitement of the great nights of Saint-Germain-des-Prés with the award ceremony of the 2025 Prix Castel, bestowed upon Vanessa Schneider for La Peau dure (Flammarion). Co-founded in 2022 by Castel and Carole Chrétiennot, the prize is awarded to a novel published during the current literary season. Its author should be someone who would have naturally found their place at Jean Castel’s table — a place where the art of conversation, freedom of expression and an irreverent elegance reigned each evening.
Made up of Emma Becker, Claire Berest, Vincent Darré, Étienne Gernelle, Eva Ionesco, Marc Lambron, Justine Lévy, Jean-Noël Pancrazi, Abnousse Shalmani and Gaël Tchakaloff, the jury awarded the prize to Vanessa Schneider. In a deeply moving story, the author depicts her late father, Michel Schneider, a unique literary and intellectual figure. Through this intimate narrative, she pays a radiant tribute to a committed man, an intense family life and a relationship marked by complexity and admiration.
The prizewinner receives a Castel membership card, an invitation to enjoy the restaurant for one year with a guest of her choice, a plaque engraved with her name now displayed in the establishment’s library, and a cash prize of €5,000.
The evening brought together writers, publishers, journalists, cultural figures and friends of the venue in a warm and exciting atmosphere. A Brazilian band offered a festive performance, adding extra energy to the celebration and echoing the party spirit that has always driven Castel. Among the guests were Sylvie Testud, Sophie Calle, Bertrand Burgalat, Ariel Wizman, Nicolas Lefèvre, Marco Prince, Stéphane de Groodt, Valérie Trierweiler, Dan Franck, and others.
An unconventional prize, the Castel Prize honours a work that perpetuates the spirit of a place and a time when words were a celebration, freedom was a style and lightness was somehow deep. The prize isn’t about rewarding a novel about nightlife or partying, but a book that’s full of unique energy, a way of writing that is witty, spirited and fun.
Previous prizewinners include Catherine Millet in 2022 for ‘Commencements’ (Flammarion), Arthur Dreyfus in 2023 for ‘La Troisième Main’ (P.O.L) and Grégoire Bouillier in 2024 for ‘Le Syndrome de l’Orangerie’ (Flammarion).
With Vanessa Schneider, the 2025 Castel Prize continues its mission: to celebrate a lively, free and inspired literature, reflecting the spirit of Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Photos: Edouard Ecuyer
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