France’s Eurovision 2026 Journey: Strong Jury Support but Public Vote Disappointment

France’s Monroe finished 11th in Eurovision 2026 with a total of 158 points for her song "Regarde!" despite strong jury backing. She earned 144 points from the jury, securing 4th place in that segment and receiving maximum 12 points from countries including Georgia, the UK, and Finland. However, the public vote was far less favorable, awarding her only 14 points — a stark contrast that significantly hindered her overall ranking.

Bulgaria’s DARA won the contest decisively, with 516 points (204 jury, 312 public) for the song "Bangaranga." Israel and Romania followed in second and third places with 343 and 296 points respectively. Public voting showed Bulgaria’s overwhelming popularity, while France struggled to capture viewer votes, appearing in the televote top 10 in just eight countries and garnering minimal points even from allies.

Monroe expressed pride in her performance despite the outcome, stating, "I am very proud. I think we gave everything, we put our hearts on that stage. So, I am very happy with what we shared." The public voting system is set for reform in 2026 to limit multiple votes, following controversies linked to Israel’s previous voting practices.

Notably, France’s juries awarded their highest points to Norway, while the French public gave their top 12 points to Israel. The divergence between jury and public votes highlights differing tastes and voting dynamics within Eurovision’s diverse audience, underscoring challenges for France in fully connecting with the televoting public.