France debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1956 as one of the founding countries and has won five times, making it one of the most successful participants. Its victories include Dors, mon amour by André Claveau in 1958 and Un jour, un enfant by Frida Boccara in 1969, which was part of a four-way tie. France’s last win was in 1977 with Marie Myriam’s L’oiseau et l’enfant.
Known for its French-language entries and powerful ballads, France often balances tradition with contemporary sounds. As part of the “Big Five,” France is guaranteed a spot in the final each year, which has encouraged a mix of experimental and mainstream entries. The national selection, Eurovision France, c’est vous qui décidez!, has been instrumental in recent years, allowing the public to choose the representative.
Notable performances include Barbara Pravi’s Voilà (2nd place in 2021) and Amir’s J’ai cherché (6th place in 2016), both of which showcased France’s flair for emotive lyrics and strong vocals. France’s Eurovision strategy continues to emphasize linguistic pride, cultural identity, and professional production values.