It’s the Big Five nation that is boldly reintroducing a national final to select its act for Lisbon. Now the French broadcaster France 2 has confirmed more details around France‘s new national final. The show will be titled Destination Eurovision.

The competition aims to find France’s act for Lisbon. The competition requires that all entries have at least 70% French lyrics. During today’s press conference it was also confirmed that if the winning song had 100% French lyrics, there would be no partial English translation done for Eurovision.

The contestants will be voted on by a French jury, an international jury and televoters. However, France 2 has not yet confirmed exactly how the voting system will work.

Last month it was reported that the contest would involve two pre-recorded semi-finals and a live final. However in today’s announcement France 2 would only say that Destination Eurovision will involve “several” shows.

Entries for the contest have been open since June. From those, around 15 or 16 will be selected for Destination Eurovision. France 2 has also approached big record labels and major French artists. The broadcaster has confirmed they haven’t ruled out the possibility of foreign artists entering.

The show’s host has been confirmed as the French-Canadian singer Garou. His name was first mentioned one month ago, and now the former The Voice France coach has been locked in as the host of Destination Eurovision.

The star is looking forward to his new role. He told French media, “I am totally neutral, I love being touched by a song and I have very eclectic tastes.” He also spoke of the importance to have a act that both viewers and music experts will love.

The last French national final

In the past decade France has only used a national final once. In 2014 the act was selected as part of the music performance show Les chansons d’abord, hosted by France’s 2001 singer Natasha St-Pier.

Even though Twin Twin won the vote with their jaunty song “Moustache”, that didn’t translate to success in Copenhagen. They placed last, with only two points — France’s worst ever Eurovision result.

What do you think? Who would you like to see enter Destination Eurovision? Can the new national final select a good act for Lisbon? Sound off below!

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19 Comments
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Carmen
Carmen
6 years ago

This article is about France but you started talking about Germany, it means that an article about Germany is expected.
Germany did well when it tried NOT to be generic or serious. Raab in 2000 and Lena were funny in a good way, like Moldova 2017. Germany will do well again when it will accept its funny side.

Tobias Andersen
Tobias Andersen
6 years ago
AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

I’m glad they’ll keep the song entirely in French if it is presented like that in the NF. No changes.

I follow French music in general, so I believe there are talented people. And I am hopefull we’ll listen to some really good stuff.
The last two years have been amazing for France, keep it like that. I want them to win some time soon! They can!

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago

At least one good decision to keep the songs 100% French if there were first intended like that.

olvr20
olvr20
6 years ago

I guess it’s a good idea to hold a national final. I mean, their last two entries were good but they would have been amazing with stronger öive vocals.

Azaad
Azaad
6 years ago
Reply to  olvr20

That’s a good point actually!

Sasha
Sasha
6 years ago

The French seem to always have a great song, but their staging tends to be too basic for today’s type of show.

escESCesc
escESCesc
6 years ago

ALMA we always love you

DasJulian
DasJulian
6 years ago

Have you heard about the unofficial news about the German selection? The NDR apparently sent out an email via the federal agency for work to search for “semi-professional” singers, duos, groups, bands etc who are interested in participating in the ESC. It was also said that they do not need a song to be taken into consideration.

No Name
No Name
6 years ago
Reply to  DasJulian

So another bottom-5 for Germany

ESC Uk
ESC Uk
6 years ago
Reply to  DasJulian

I really do hope Germany go back to the songs from 2010- 2012, and just be more unique, and have the best singers that they used to sing, because they really have gotten lost in the contest lately, and if they send another forgetful song then they probably won’t improve from 24th place, and I hope the Uk and Germany get back to sending amazing singers

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago
Reply to  DasJulian

I can’t believe it. That would be too desperate…

UK 2018
UK 2018
6 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

well from the songs Germany have been sending, I think they need either a former winner, or someone experienced to write them a perfect song, because they really need the help

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago
Reply to  UK 2018

My earlier comment was not meant to be a reply to you but to the initial comment on NDR trying to find singers through their labor office, which would be hilarious

UK 2018
UK 2018
6 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

My bad sorry haha

UK
UK
6 years ago

France have definitely been improving for the last two years, and I especially loved 2016 which I thought could of got top 3 or even won, but if they keep to French, and not go the English route, they will do well, I wish some of the big 5 like Germany and the UK, choose proper acts and songs like France has been doing because there doing amazing.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  UK

Germany has amazing artists, but they keep sending these crappy songs in English. I love music in German, not an ugly language at all.

ESC 2018 Uk
ESC 2018 Uk
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

They definitely don’t have an ugly language, I just hope Germany and the Uk just start to pick outstanding artists, for example this wasn’t my favourite winner, but for Germany if they picked songs from artists like Lena, or in 2012, then they definitely can be a contender, hopefully they pick an outstanding song for next year, and good luck to Germany aswell from the Uk

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

I believe they will do it right. I think they learned their lesson after adding that awful English part to Requiem. Planning and focusing on quality is the answer, regardless the language or the rhythm.