SANS DOUTE!

In what is sans doute the best produced (in every aspect) national pageant in the world, business school student, statuesque, and stunning Miss Orléanais Flora Coquerel, 19 and 1m82, won the Miss France 2014 title last night. During the glittering gala at the Zénith in Dijon, she ultimately won the night in very tight contest with first runner-up Miss Tahiti Mehiata Riaria. Rounding out the top five were Miss Provence Laëtizia Penmellen, Miss Côte d'Azur Aurianne Sinacola, and Miss Guadeloupe Chloé Deher.

Flora, like Miss France 2000 Sonia Roland, is of Francophone African heritage - Flora's mother was born in Benin in West Africa (Sonia's Francophone African heritage is Rwandan).

Not only are we taking delight in Flora's victory, but also we are taking delight in the huge TV ratings and Twitter success of Miss France 2014. As once French newspaper put it, "TF1 explose son audience grâce à Flora Coquerel." The contest saw its largest audience since 2008 and set a record of over 1 million tweets. Take that, MUO! Oh, while on the subject of MUO...

Note to Sylvie Tellier from Dean Harris: Do not waste any more of your time on the Donald and Paula Sugar Honey. It ain't never gonna happen for France. They might continue to tease you with a top 15 or even top 10 placement, but they aren't about to allow a top 5 placement or even a win. Ever. Je dis la vérité. Don't renew your contract with the Miss Universe Organization. Focus on the Miss World Organisation. France could actually have a shot at that title in the future.