American author Richard Ford (81) was awarded the Fitzgerald Literary Prize at the 14th edition of the prestigious event at the Belles Rives Hotel, on Saturday, 14 June 2025.
The annual event celebrates the “wit and elegance” of American writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, who once stayed at this beautiful location when it was still a private residence, Villa Saint-Louis. Since being transformed into a hotel in the late 1920s, the owners of Belles Rives have honoured Fitzgerald’s legacy. And on Saturday evening, they celebrated the 100-year anniversary since Fitzgerald’s famous novel ‘The Great Gatsby’ was published.
The ‘Prix Fitzgerald’ was created in 2011 by Marianne Estène-Chauvin, president of the Francis Scott Fitzgerald Academy and owner of the hotel. She delivered a touching speech to the gathered guests, honouring Fitzgerald and Ford.
The prize is awarded to a work “that reflects the style and art of living dear to the author of The Great Gatsby”. Ford was selected thanks to his 2024 novel ‘A Fool’s Paradise’ (as its translation is called in France). The original 2023 novel (in English) is titled ‘Be Mine’.
Ford paid tribute to Fitzgerald, to his wife and to the translators who have brought his work to a French audience. “For me, to be published and find readers in France, has been a dream I never allowed myself to dream,” said Ford. He said he has been fortunate to have many translators in France. “All excellent, and generous, and patient. Translation is the work of imagination and genius,” he said, joking that he tells translators “try to make my book better in French than it is in English.”
The prize-giving ceremony was held on Belles Rives’ beautiful terrace, overlooking the Mediterranean, one the best views on the French Riviera coastline – from the port and green lighthouse that inspired Fitzgerald in ‘Great Gatsby’, to the Lerins islands and golden sunset over the hills of Cannes.
Former Prix Fitzgerald winners include American writers Joyce Carol Oates (2024) and Quentin Tarantino (2023).
This year’s jury included well known and accomplished French personalities: Bertrand de Saint-Vincent, Daphné Roulier de Caunes, Marie-Dominique Lelièvre, Éric Neuhoff, François Armanet, Frédéric Beigbeder, Christophe Ono-dit-Biot and Hélène Fillières.
A dinner in the presence of Ford and the jury was held afterwards.
