Miss Provence Barbara Morel was crowned Miss Nationale 2011 on December 5th at the Salle Wagram in Paris. Morel was crowned by former Miss France (2001) and local politician Élodie Gossuin in front of 600 guests. Morel is 19 year old and stands 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in). She is a trade and commerce student in Saint-Lambesc, Bouches du Rhône.
Miss Nationale was set up by former Miss France director Geneviève de Fontenay, who resigned from the older pageant earlier this year amid ongoing disputes with its owner, reality TV production house Endemol.
While not televised, website Dailymotion carried the proceedings online, while de Fontenay’s reputation ensured that there was plenty of press coverage throughout the process.
The Miss Nationale branding was always closely tied to de Fontenay, who has become well known in France for her strong views on morality and for her trademark millinery—she is nicknamed la dame au chapeau.
Photo Credit: ParisMatch.