France in the Eurovision Song Contest 1957

ESC National Year
Year = 1957
Country = FRA
Preselection =
Preselection date =
Entrant = Paule Desjardins
Song = "La Belle Amour"
Final result = 2nd, 17 points

France took part in the Eurovision Song Contest for the second time in 1957. The country was represented by Paul Desjardins with the song “La belle amour”.

The national selection

It is not known whether the French broadcaster held a national final or if the song was selected internally, which is more likely. Paule Desjardins was a rather unknown singer at the time of the contest. The song was composed by Guy Lafarge and the lyrics were written by Francis Carco.

At Eurovision

At the Eurovision Song Contest in Frankfurt, the French entry was performed eighth among the ten contestants following Germany with “Telefon, Telefon” and preceding Denmark with “Skibet skal sejle i nat”. Paule Desjardins delivered a simple and static performance as usual in these days. In the background, the stage showed a picture of a street café typically for Paris to illustrate the country the song represents. Being a hot favourite [ [http://www.ecgermany.de/archiv/1957esc.htm Eurovision Song Contest 1957 ] ] , France finished second among the ten contestants. At the close of voting, it has received 17 points, almost only half of the points the Dutch winner received (31 points). Six countries gave points to the French entry, which means two thirds exactly of the other countries. The French jury itself gave only two countries any points: the Netherlands and most notably six points to Germany, by far the highest mark for the host country. Remarkably, France has also got its highest vote from Germany - again six points.

Voting [ [http://www.diggiloo.net/?scoreboard.1957 Diggiloo Thrush - scoreboard 1957 ] ]

Every country had a jury of ten people. Every jury member could give one point to his or her favourite song.

Points given

*6 points to Germany
*4 points to the Netherlands

Points received

*6 points from Germany
*4 points from Luxembourg
*2 points from Denmark
*2 points from the United Kingdom
*2 points from Belgium
*1 point from the Netherlands

References

Sources

* [http://www.diggiloo.net/?1957fr The 1957 French entry on diggiloo.net]