— Ch. 1 · Founding And Early Years —
Les Nouvelles littéraires.
~2 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
October 1922 marked the birth of Les Nouvelles littéraires when Éditions Larousse launched the publication. The newspaper began as a dedicated space for literary and artistic content in France. An early issue from the 15th of May 1926 featured a drawing by Adrienne Monnier on page 187. This visual element signaled the magazine's commitment to blending text with art from its inception. The initial focus remained strictly on literature and the arts without broader scientific or cinematic scope.
Editorial Leadership Evolution
André Gillon took over direction of the publication after an unnamed leader served from 1922 until 1936. His son Étienne Gillon subsequently assumed control following his father's tenure. René Minguet directed the magazine between 1971 and 1975 before Philippe Tesson took the helm from 1975 to 1983. Frédéric Lefèvre edited the paper continuously from 1922 until 1949. Gilbert Charles held the editor position starting in 1949 and continued through 1962. A final unnamed editor led the publication until it ceased operations in 1985.Wartime Suspension And Resumption
World War II forced the newspaper to stop printing issues for five years beginning in 1940. Publication resumed only in 1945 as France emerged from occupation. The hiatus created a significant gap in the historical record of French literary criticism during that period. Editors worked to rebuild readership and contributor networks once the war ended. The return to print required reestablishing trust with both writers and subscribers who had waited years for new content.Expansion Into Cinema And Science
The magazine shifted its editorial scope to include cinema reviews after initially focusing solely on literature. Scientific topics also entered the pages during the mid-20th century era. This broadening of interests reflected changing cultural priorities among French intellectuals. An appendix titled L'Art vivant appeared in 1924 to highlight living art forms. The inclusion of film and science marked a departure from the strict literary boundaries set at founding.Notable Collaborators And Contributors
Raymond Woog contributed writings to the newspaper over several decades. Jean-Louis Ezine and Michel Field added their voices to the publication's roster. Jeanne Cressanges and Pierre Billard wrote articles that appeared in various issues. Pierrette Micheloud, Pascal Mérigeau, Maurice Féaudierre, and Madeleine Masson all contributed content. Maryse Choisy was another writer whose work appeared within the pages before 1985. These individuals helped shape the intellectual character of the magazine through their diverse perspectives.