Following the French success in 1976 with a song chosen through a national final, broadcaster Télévision Française 1 (TF1) again opted for a public selection.

Pre-contest betting had suggested that the winner was likely to be one from Belgium, Germany, Ireland, or the United Kingdom, with the French song not registering as a potential victor.

The United Kingdom took the early initiative in the voting and held the lead until just over half way through, when a late run of high marks to "L'oiseau et l'enfant" and a dip in form from its challengers saw France claim the victory with a final total of 136 points, 15 ahead of the United Kingdom in second place.

[4] Although in later years "L'oiseau et l'enfant" attained the status of a Eurovision classic, at the time it was considered a surprising and unexpected winner.

France had taken only three maximum 12s (from Finland, Germany and Switzerland) against six for the United Kingdom and four for Ireland, but had scored more consistently across the board, being the only country to receive votes from every other national jury.