France was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 by Ortal with the song "Chacun pense à soi". For the first time since Eurovision 2000, France 3 organised a National Preselection which was hosted by Laurent Ruquier and Elsa Fayer. In March there were 2 shows: the introductory documentary on March 14 showed the selection of the candidates who were earlier selected by France 3. The program ended with a presentation of the five finalists. The National Final was aired live on March 15 where the five participants presented their song live and sang duets with famous artists. The televoting audience and a professional jury made the final decision. Ortal emerged as the popular choice with her song "Chacun Pense à Soi" (Everyone Thinks of Themself [sic?]). The song is written and composed by Saad Tabainet.

Ortal, born in Israel of Berber and Andalusian origins, began singing when she is sixteen. In 2000, Ortal moved to Spain and joined the group ‘Gipsy Sound’ (Alabina) with whom she toured Europe with for two years. Ortal provided entertainment at MGM’s hotel in Las Vegas, the French première of the James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies in Paris, and on television in Monaco for Prince Albert’s birthday party. Ortal has performed in Tunisia and has also provided backing vocals on the albums of various French artists.

The spokesperson who revealed France's votes for other countries was France's 1977 entrant Marie Myriam.

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