The Prix littéraire René Pechère rewards, every two years, an outstanding work devoted to gardens, landscapes and nature. Created in 2008 in tribute to René Pechère, great Belgian master of garden architecture, it honours authors whose work contributes to celebrating the art of gardens, its history, its imagination and its role in our culture.
The 2026 edition of the Prize is organised in partnership with the European Institute of Gardens and Landscapes, reinforcing the Prize’s European roots and the shared ambition to promote the garden as a place of culture, transmission and creation.
Jury President: Marco Martella
In 2026, the Jury President is Marco Martella. Born in Rome and now based in France, his erudition is reflected in a double life as a writer and gardener that crosses genre boundaries. At the crossroads of essay and fiction, his work explores the intimate connection between man, landscape and time, tracing a cartography of places that shape our memory (Jardin perdu, Jardins en temps de guerre, Un petit monde, un monde parfait, Fleurs). At the heart of his work and his life, the genius loci becomes a compass: the creation of a magazine, Jardins (2010), and institutional commitment to making green spaces places of culture and encounter. Marco Martella was the laureate of the Prix René Pechère 2024.
Jury Composition
The 2026 jury is composed of: Nicole d’Huart (BE), Nathalie de Harlez (BE), Bénédicte Duthion, Iris Lauterbach, Alexandre Chemetoff (FR), Michael Jakob (FR) and Jacques Moulin (FR).
How are the books selected?
The selection of the books competing for the Prix littéraire René Pechère follows a multi-step procedure that guarantees the rigour and independence of the Prize.
From January 2026, a pre-selection committee carried out a broad survey of books devoted to the art of gardens and landscape published in French over the previous two years. This pre-selection was carried out by Yves Limauge and Hugo Martin, who compiled a long list of around thirty titles, made available to the Reading Committee from 19 January 2026 for consultation at the bookshop A Livre Ouvert – Le Rat Conteur, in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert. No prior registration is required: any book recommendation may be sent to the Reading Committee.
The Reading Committee, made up of members chosen for their independence and expertise — the art of gardens, landscape architecture, literature, visual arts, publishing — examines this pre-selection and retains the shortlisted books, on the basis of the originality of the subject, the quality of the writing and illustrations, and editorial excellence. The authors and publishers concerned are informed before any public announcement.
The jury, chaired this year by Marco Martella, then deliberates following a collective discussion and designates the laureate by secret ballot. The jury’s decisions are sovereign and without appeal; no ex aequo is allowed. The laureate’s name remains confidential until the official award ceremony.
2026 Schedule
January – March 2026: Formation of the Reading Committee and submission of entries
1 April 2026: Reading Committee meeting in Brussels — six books shortlisted
September 2026: Invitations sent for the official award ceremony
25 and 26 November 2026: Official award ceremony of the Prix littéraire René Pechère 2026 — Paris, marking the 10th edition
Exceptional visits
As part of the 2026 edition, the Comité René Pechère is organising exceptional visits, the programme for which will be unveiled soon.
⭐ Friends and patrons of the Comité René Pechère will have first access to reserve their seats. Don’t miss this exclusive priority — join us or renew your support to benefit from it.
For more information or to join the circle of patrons: support us.
Partners & Sponsors
The Comité René Pechère invites companies and institutions with an interest in culture and nature to join the partners of the Prix littéraire René Pechère 2026. Three partnership packages are available:
- Golden Partnership (€5,000) — Sector exclusivity, top logo placement, speaking opportunity at the ceremony, 10 invitations, 5 shortlisted books
- Silver Partnership (€2,500) — Second logo placement, 5 invitations, 3 pre-selected books
- Bronze Partnership (€1,000) — Third logo placement, 1 pre-selected book
For any information on partnership opportunities, contact Michel Grossmann, public relations officer of the Comité René Pechère: 0477 337 302.
Organisers & Institutional Partners
The Prix littéraire René Pechère 2026 is organised by the Comité René Pechère in partnership with CIVA (International Centre for City, Architecture and Landscape) and the European Institute of Gardens and Landscapes, with the support of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles.