A Bold Choice celebrating diversity and inclusion

Paris, February 3, 2026

(AFP) On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, it was announced that Miss France 2026 will no longer take place in one of the usual Hexagon venues, but directly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The organizers have announced that the event, scheduled for December, will move to Brazzaville or Pointe-Noire to celebrate “international openness and diversity.” A real twist after years of increasingly “exotic” editions still within French borders, from Rouvroy-Ripont to Pommerol.

This move marks a historic first: the Miss France competition is heading to the African continent. The decision is presented as a step toward greater inclusion and a bridge between France and the Francophone world.

Hot Reactions from the Côte d’Azur and Social Media

The candidates will show up in swimsuits under the equatorial sun, with Congo’s humid heat replacing the mistral.

Voices from the Riviera are already rising: “How are they going to handle the general knowledge tests at 35 degrees?”, someone asks in Nice Facebook groups. Detractors call it “a risky marketing stunt,” while supporters celebrate a powerful signal to Francophone Africa.

What to Expect from the Final Night?

Three parades, plenty of Congolese music blended with classic French chanson, and a crown that could, for the first time, rest on a head with African roots or from French overseas territories. The stated goal? To strengthen ties between France and sub-Saharan Africa.

Safety first

The government of the DRC assured that no event will take place in Goma, so very little risk for the participants to get killed or raped.