France was represented at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2004 with the song "Si on voulait bien", written and performed by Thomas Pontier. The French participating broadcaster, France Télévisions, selected its representative through a national final called Eurovision Junior 2004 — La sélection, while the song was selected internally. This was the first-ever entry from France in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.

Before Junior Eurovision

Eurovision Junior 2004 — La sélection France Télévisions held the casting sessions for the national final on 26 August in Marseille and 27 August 2004 in Lille. On 12 September 2004, the 11 finalists of the national final were announced. Christopher was in the original list but wasn’t in the national final due to unknown reasons.

The national final was held on 20 September 2004 at 20:55 CET and broadcast on France 3. The national final was hosted by and Sophie Davant. In the first round, the 11 finalists sang songs of their choice and three of them were chosen to the second round by 50% professional jury and 50% televoting.

First Round + First Round – 20 September 2004 Artist Song (Original artist) Result 1 Cindy "Rue de la paix" (Zazie) 2 Joris "J’irais au bout de me revês" (Jean Jacques Goldman) 3 Lucie "Mon manège à moi" (Edith Piaf) 4 Julian and Marine "J’ai demandé à la lune" (Indochine) 5 Julien "Suzette" (Dany Brillant) 6 Les J.A.M.M.E. "Fan" (Pascal Obispo) 7 Julie "Il y a trop de gens qui t’aiment" (Hélène Ségara) Qualified 8 Tiffanie "La gadoue" (Petula Clark) 9 Thomas "Un autre monde" (Téléphone) Qualified 10 Axelle "Le monde est stone" (Fabienne Thibault) Qualified 11 Marion and Julia "Les brunes comptent pas pour des prunes" (Lio)

In the second round, the second round qualifiers had to sing another song in acapella and the winner was chosen by 50% professional jury and 50% televoting.

Second Round + Second Round – 20 September 2004 Artist Song (Original artist) 1 Thomas "Amsterdam" (Jacques Brel) 2 Julie "Mrs Jones" (Hélène Ségara) 3 Axelle "L’hymne à l’amour" (Edith Piaf)

Song selection On 7 October 2004, it was revealed that Thomas would sing "Si on voulait bien" which was written by himself. His song was released on 9 November 2004.

At Junior Eurovision At the running order draw, France were drawn to perform sixth on 20 November 2004, following Norway and preceding Macedonia.

Voting

+ Points awarded to France Score Country 12 points 10 points 8 points 7 points 6 points 5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point

+ Points awarded by France Score Country 12 points 10 points 8 points 7 points 6 points 5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point

References