Performing as the opening entry during the show in position 1, France placed twenty-third out of the 26 participating countries with 14 points.

France have also finished second four times, with Paule Desjardins in 1957, Catherine Ferry in 1976, Joëlle Ursull in 1990 and Amina in 1991, who lost out to Sweden's Carola in a tie-break.

[3] The broadcaster received 150 submissions from record companies, music publishers, artist managers as well as artists and songwriters themselves and a five-member selection committee shortlisted 18 entries to advance to the next stage, which involved an alternate fourteen-member committee consisting of representatives of France Télévisions and music industry professionals that considered five entries following a blind audio listening before finalising their decision internally in early 2013.

[4] The members of the second selection committee were:[5][6] On 22 January 2013, France 3 announced that the French entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 would be "L'enfer et moi" performed by Amandine Bourgeois.

[8] According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final progress to the final.

The running order for the semi-finals and final was decided by the shows' producers rather than through another draw, so that similar songs were not placed next to each other.

About the performance and song, France 3 entertainment director Marie Claire Mezerette stated: "In this case simplicity is the key.

"[14][15] Amandine Bourgeois was joined on stage by three backing vocalists: Fanny Llado, Guillaume Eyango and Judith Flessel-Toto.

The jury consisted of five music industry professionals who were citizens of the country they represent, with their names published before the contest to ensure transparency.

This jury was asked to judge each contestant based on: vocal capacity; the stage performance; the song's composition and originality; and the overall impression by the act.