Setting the stage for French beauties
The Miss France beauty pageant is one of the biggest held annually in the world. This year the Miss France pageant has decided on a pre-pageant tour of Sri Lanka as part of their contest experience. The tour will be a part of the pageant’s official agenda, following regional selections that will culminate in the grand finale of the Miss France pageant to be held in Dijon, France in early December.
Frederic Gilbert
The 33 contestants, each chosen from the various provinces and islands of France, will visit Sri Lanka from November 15-23. In Sri Lanka this week, scouting for places and activities the girls can experience were Head of Partnership and Licensing of the Organisation of Miss France, Celia Jourdheuil and Head of Production of Organisation of Miss France Frederic Gilbert. Their visit was organised by SriLankan Airlines and Cinnamon Hotels.
Celia, who incidentally was the first runner-up at the Miss France pageant 1998, said she was thrilled Sri Lanka was chosen for their pre-contest overseas experience. “I have been here before and the experience was amazing and I believe the girls should experience it too. The places we have been to so far will be perfect for what we have in mind and I’m happy that this year we can give an all-round perfect tour experience for the contestants.”
Sri Lanka is one of the first South Asian destinations to host the tour. Miss France destinations in the past have included Thailand, Maldives, Mexico and Mauritius. The team of over 50 other key personnel of the Miss France competition will be accompanying the finalists together with the winner of Miss France 2012/2013, Marine Lorphelin.
The contingent will have a taste of ancient culture at Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya, enjoy nature at Kaudulla National Park, then have a bit of adventure with trekking and water sports at Hiriwadunna. Then of course, there’s time at the beaches down south. They will stay at Cinnamon Lodge Habarana, and Cinnamon Bey Beruwala and their activities will be televised live through TF1 to millions of global viewers.
Celia Jourdheuil. Pix by Hasitha Kulasekera
Six-time producer of the show who was also the producer of Miss Europe Frederie Gilbert said that when he saw the places in Sri Lanka, he felt like a child because the country had everything that people could only dream of.
“I have been to other Buddhist countries before but I can honestly say that Sri Lankan has a refined and authentic beauty. People here have genuine warmth. Their laugh comes deep from their heart and shines through their eyes. I loved the tuk tuk (three-wheeler) experience and almost want to take one home,” he adds with a laugh.
Head of Brand Marketing of Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts, Dileep Mudadeniya said Sri Lanka receives around 60,000 French tourists per year. The 2014/2015 would-be Miss France will also be an ambassador for Sri Lanka in her tenure.
There will also be a fashion show with the contestants on the ramp displaying the creations of local fashion designers to showcase Sri Lankan fashion to the French as well as other markets on November 21. All the photo shoots of the girls will be done in Sri Lanka, with around two dozen French journalists being flown in.
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