Earlier this month, we already published that Pascal Sevran will host a public selection to find the 2006 representative for France at the Eurovision Song Contest. France 3 meanwhile confirmed that this show will not be the only source of songs for the national final.

Until 15th January, promos will be diffused on national and regional programs to invite 'tomorrow's talents' to send in their application. In January, from all material received a casting will be held in seven French cities;

Lille: for Northern France and a part of Paris region
Nancy: For north-east France (Lorraine, Champagne-Ardennes and Alsace)
Lyon: for east and centre (Bourgogne Franche-Comté and Rhône-Alpes Auvergne)
Marseille: For the Mediterranean cost and Corsica
Bordeaux: for south-west (Aquitaine, Limousin, Poitou-Charentes)
Rennes: For west (Bretagne, Normandie)
Paris: for Paris Region

After those regional selections, a semifinal will be organised by France 3 with a professional jury and web votings. This semifinal will be diffused only on France 3 its website. 13 finalists will be selected for the French final, to be held in March.

On France 2, Pascal Sevran will host the new program Entrée des artistes as from 7th January. A talent show on each Saturday at 12:00 CET, in which four more candidates will be selected for the French final. The Radio and TV channel RFO, for the far territories, will also select four participants.

In total, there will be 21 acts in the French selection for Athens. The winner will be decided by the vote of a professionnal jury and a public televote.

We kindly thank eurovision-fr.net for their contribution!