The Académie Goncourt is a literary organization based in Paris, France that was created by French writer and publisher Edmond de Goncourt in opposition to the then existing policies towards writers by the Académie française. The Eiffel Tower has become the symbol of Paris throughout the world. ... Edmond de Goncourt (May 26, 1822 – July 16, 1896), writer, critic, book publisher and the founder of the Académie Goncourt. ... The Académie française, or French Academy, is the pre-eminent French learned body on matters pertaining to the French language. ...

Wishing to honor his deceased brother Jules, de Goncourt named his friend Alphonse Daudet to oversee his estate that he bequeathed for the establishment of an organization to promote literature in France. Each December since 1903, a ten-member Board of the Académie has awarded the Prix Goncourt for the best work of fiction of the year. It is the most prestigious prize in French language literature, and a seat on the Board is a much-cherished position in the French literary world. Jules de Goncourt (Paris, December 17, 1830 – Paris, June 20, 1870) was a french writer, who published books together with his brother Edmond. ... Alphonse Daudet (May 13, 1840 - December 17, 1897) was a French novelist. ... The Prix Goncourt is the most prestigious prize in French language literature, given to the author of the best imaginary prose work of the year. Edmond de Goncourt, a successful author, critic, and publisher, bequeathed his entire estate for the foundation and maintenance of the Académie Goncourt. ... The Three Graces, here in a painting by Sandro Botticelli, were the goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, human creativity and fertility in Greek mythology. ... French (français, langue française) is one of the most important Romance languages, outnumbered in speakers only by Spanish and Portuguese. ... Wikisource Every Author - Online books and writers forums A Bibliography of Literary Theory, Criticism, and Philology (José Ángel García Landa, University of Zaragoza, Spain) Open Directory Project: Literature World Literature Electronic Text Archives Magazines and E-zines Online Writing Writers Resources Libraries, Digital Cataloguing, Metadata Distance Learning T...

Membership is reserved to writers who have produced works in the French language but it is not limited to citizens of France. In 1996 the novelist and scriptwriter Jorge Semprun became the first foreigner, and the first spaniard to become a member of the academy. 1996 is a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ...

In addition to the prix Goncourt, which comes with a symbolic cheque of 10 Euros, the Goncourt academy is also responsible for awarding 5 bourses of a more substantial nature.

The ten members of the academy are usually called les dix, and they meet the first Tuesday of each month, except in summer. Since 1914 they have convened in an oval room, the salon Goncourt on the second floor of the Drouant restaurant in the heart of Paris. The cutlery or tableware that they use while meeting and dining at the restaurant constitutes the main physical continuity of the academy. Each new member receives the fork and knife of the member which he (or she) is replacing, and a new name is then added on the knife and the fork. 1914 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... The Eiffel Tower has become a symbol of Paris throughout the world. ... Starch-polyester disposable cutlery Cutlery refers to any hand utensil used in preparing, serving, and especially eating food. ...

The cooking is reported to be excellent.