On December 6, 2025, the 96th edition of the Miss France pageant took place, a show that stands out above all other fashion competitions in the world for its brilliant staging, truly worthy of admiration and something many directors of other pageants should learn from. What makes it so exceptional is its themed dance performances, which I wrote about a few years ago when they staged an impressive flamenco show featuring a Spanish dancer. At Miss France, the contestants are constantly dancing.
In this latest edition, the inclusion of the National Guard band (le Garde républicaine) during the regional costume segment (in which each contestant represents a French region, including overseas territories) wearing designs that reflect the country’s cultural diversity, genuinely moved me, as the world of bands has a very personal significance for me. Anyone familiar with my reports will understand why this moment meant so much.
Three melodies were performed, the last of which was the official Miss France anthem, giving the whole sequence a truly epic atmosphere. It reminded me of what happened at the Miss Universe pageant just a few weeks earlier, where a live band also performed the official Miss Universe anthem during the evening gown segment.
Here is the full show at the link below. The band’s performance begins at 57:04:
Miss France 2026 (watch on Youtube)
