FRANCE chose Alma to represent them at this 2017’s Eurovision Song Contest that ultimately saw Portugal storm home with a massive victory.

But what is her background, how was she selected and what is Alma singing for Eurovision 2017?

3 Alma represented France in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 Credit: YouTube/Alma Officiel

Who is Alma?

Alma Maquet has, as with many Eurovision singers this year, dropped her last name and is now just known as Alma.

The French singer/songwriter was born in 1988 and comes from Lyon, in the south of France.

But the songstress has an international streak - having spent time in the United States, Italy and Brazil with her family.

The bright young thing also has a degree in Economics and is signed with Warner Music France.

She released her debut single in June 2016 La Chute est Lente, or The Fall is Long in English.

How was Alma chosen to represent France?

France 2, a french television channel, accepted online submissions from artists and songwriters for the French Eurovision entry from September 13 last year.

French speaking singers of any nationality between the ages of 16 and 50 were told they were welcome to apply.

Singers could enter with or without songs, and songwriters were also able to submit suggested songs that - if chosen - would be matched to an artist.

All songs had to be 80 per cent French with a 20 per cent allowance for any other language.

A grand total of 300 applications were received and, after an internal selection process, it was revealed that Alma would represent the French nation.

3 Alma was selected to represent France using an internal judging process Credit: alma_officiel/Instagram

What song is Alma performing and who wrote it?

Alma performed the track Requiem, which is composed by Marseille songwriter Nazim Khaled.

Nazim also co-wrote and produced France's 2016 Eurovision song J'ai Cherché which came in a respectable 6th place.

How did France perform at Eurovision 2017?

The bookies weren't backing France in Eurovision 2017.

Before the live show aired SunBets gives odds of 80/1 for France to win - putting them towards the middle of the 26 finalists.

In the end though Alma finished in a very respectable 12th place with 135 points.

How did Alma make the final?

As the French entry, Alma automatically qualified for the Eurovision final.

France is one of the Big Five countries – alongside the UK's Lucie Jones, Germany, Italy and Spain – who automatically qualify.

While the host country, which this year is Ukraine, also gets a free pass for its entry O. Torvald.

3 Alma will be singing Requiem, written by Nazim Khaled, in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest Credit: alma_officiel/Instagram

What are the lyrics to Requiem?

Des amours meurent, des amours naissent

Les siècles passent et disparaissent

Ce que tu crois être mort

C’est une saison et rien de plus

Un jour lassé de cette errance

Tu t’en iras, quelle importance

Car la terre tournera encore

Même quand nous ne tournerons plus

Embrasse-moi, dis-moi que tu m’aimes

Fais-moi sourire au beau milieu d’un requiem

Embrasse-moi, dis-moi que tu m’aimes

Fais-moi danser jusqu’à ce que le temps nous reprenne

Ce qu’il a donné

Un an, deux ans, cent ans de bonheur

Puis la vie te cueille comme une fleur

Fais-moi marrer, j’en ai besoin

En attendant que sonne l’heure

Un an, deux ans, cent ans à deux

Et puis un jour on est tout seul

On pleure mais on survit quand même

C’est la beauté du requiem

Les étincelles deviennent des flammes

Les petites filles deviennent des femmes

Ce que tu crois être la mort

C’est un brasier et rien de plus

Nos déchirures, nos déchéances

On pense qu’elles ont de l’importance

Mais demain renaîtra le jour

Comme si nous n’avions pas vécu

Embrasse-moi, dis-moi que tu m’aimes

Fais-moi sourire au beau milieu d’un requiem

Embrasse-moi, dis-moi que tu m’aimes

Fais-moi danser jusqu’à ce que le temps nous reprenne

Ce qu’il a donné

Un an, deux ans, cent ans de bonheur

Puis la vie te cueille comme une fleur

Fais-moi marrer, j’en ai besoin

En attendant que sonne l’heure

Un an, deux ans, cent ans à deux

Et puis un jour on est tout seul

On pleure mais on survit quand même

C’est la beauté du requiem

Des amours naissent, des amours meurent

Ce soir enfin je n’ai plus peur

Je sais que je t’aimerai encore

Quand la terre ne tournera plus

Des amours naissent, des amours meurent

Ce soir enfin je n’ai plus peur

Je sais que je t’aimerai encore

Quand la terre ne tournera plus

Embrasse-moi, dis-moi que tu m’aimes

Fais-moi sourire au beau milieu d’un requiem

Embrasse-moi, dis-moi que tu m’aimes

Fais-moi danser jusqu’à ce que le temps nous reprenne

Ce qu’il a donné

Ce qu’il a donné

Ce qu’il a donné

Ce qu’il a donné

Ce qu’il a donné

How many times has France won the Eurovision Song Contest?

France have competed in the Eurovision Song Contest 58 times over the years and were one of the founding countries.

They scooped their first win in 1958 with the song Dors, Mon Amour performed by André Claveau.

They have since gone on to win four more times, and come in second place on another four occasions.

France's previous Eurovision winners André Claveau with Dors, Mon Amour in 1958

Jacqueline Boyer with Tom Pillibi in 1960

Isabelle Aubret with Un premier amour in 1962

Frida Boccara with Un jour, un enfant in 1969 (four-way tie)

Marie Myriam with L'oiseau et l'enfant in 1977

When and where is the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 final?

The final of Eurovision 2017 is taking place tonight (May 13). It will be broadcast on BBC One at 8pm.

The event will be broadcast live from the International Exhibition Centre in Ukraine’s capital of Kiev.

The reigning champion Jamala will be in attendance on the night, to hand over the iconic glass microphone trophy to this year’s winner.