Miss France Vaimalama Chaves Photo: Thibault Marais
Thousands of French Polynesians have turned out for a celebration to mark Miss Tahiti's victory of the Miss France beauty pageant.
The reception for Vaimalama Chaves at the presidential palace and the subsequent parade in Papeete were also televised live.
Her win of the Miss France title last week was the first of a Miss Tahiti in 20 years.
The 24-year-old woman has also been entered into the Order of Tahiti Nui.
When Vaimalama Chaves returned to Tahiti three days ago huge crowds awaited her at the airport where she was also met by top government leaders and the French High Commissioner.
Security was tightened for her public appearances to manage the enthusiastic crowds.
According to the French pageant organisers, more than 150,000 SMS messages were sent from French Polynesia alone in her support during the show, which reportedly accounted for almost half the votes expressed.
French Polynesia president Edouard Fritch and Miss France Vaimalama Chaves Photo: Thibault Marais
