This morning, the French broadcaster France 2 presented through a press conference some details about the forthcoming national selection for Eurovision 2018. At the menu: TV shows, international juries and renamed artists.

The French representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon will be selected through the talent show, Destination Eurovision. As anticipated in October, famous French-Canadian singer Garou will host the national selection.

Eighteen acts to compete

France 2 announced that a total of 18 artists will enter Destination Eurovision. Candidates will be jointly selected by a French jury and an international jury. Former Eurovision participant Amir, French singer Cristophe Willem and Canadian performer Isabelle Boulay will compose the French jury of the talent show.

Isabelle Boulay, Christophe Willem et Amir, jurés de #DestinationEurovision, bientôt sur France 2. @boulay_isabelle @cwillem @Amir_Off #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/OyZeXnuyqd

— Eurovision France (@EurovisionF2) December 11, 2017

Famous French artists like Zazie or Maître Gims have composed songs that will enter the competition. No more details concerning the participating acts have been revealed. As announced, France 2 received more than 1,500 entries.

Two semi-finals, 8 finalists

Two semi-finals of nine songs each will determine the finalists, with 4 artists from each semi-final qualifying to the final of the selection.

The semi-final qualifiers will be determined via a 100% jury vote comprising of a total of 6 members: the 3 French members listed above alongside 3 international jury members, Christer Björkman (Swedish HoD) Nicola Caligliore (Italian HoD) and Olga Salamakha (Belarusian HoD).

The winner of the national selection will be chosen 50% by ten different international jurors, and 50% by the viewers. The full list of international jury members will be unveiled in due course.

France in Eurovision

France is one of the most successful countries at Eurovision; they have scored 5 victories over the years and debuted in the first contest back in 1956.

Their success declined in the years to follow since their last victory in 1977, even receiving their worst set of results in 2014 when Twin Twin came last in Copenhagen. However in 2016, they managed to climb back into the top 10 with Amir.

France participated in Kyiv in 2017 with Alma and her song Requiem, she finished 12th in the grand final.