Best of the beards: the 2019 French Beard Championships – in pictures

Well-groomed men were out in force for the third annual French facial hair competition

Teddy Bonnet poses prior to the competition during the French 2019 Beards Championship in Paris, France. Reuters

A contestant poses as he takes part in the third edition of the French Beard Championships in Paris. AFP

A participant poses as he takes part in the third edition of the French Beard Championships in Paris. AFP

A contestant poses as he takes part in the third edition of the French Beard Championships in Paris. AFP

A contestant poses as he takes part in the third edition of the French Beard Championships in Paris. AFP

A contestant poses as he takes part in the third edition of the French Beard Championships in Paris. AFP

A contestant poses as he takes part in the third edition of the French Beard Championships in Paris. AFP

A contestant poses as he takes part in the third edition of the French Beard Championships in Paris. AFP

A contestant poses as he takes part in the third edition of the French Beard Championships in Paris. AFP

Well-pruned Parisians have gathered in the French capital for the 2019 French Beard Championships.

Marking the third year that a celebration of the follically blessed has been held in the European city, the championship saw everyone from the boldly bearded to unashamedly mustachioed compete to be named the best of the beards.

It is "an event that has become a must for any bearded and / or moustached who respects himself", according to organisers.

Click through the gallery above to see all of the most impressive beards from the championship.

This year there were 15 categories and 86 competitors taking part. Looks ranged from the creative, which incorporated props such a baseballs, to the more classic, well-groomed beard.

Benjamin Vlamynck was one of the competitors, who told France 3 about his pre-championship preparations.

"I applied a treatment with castor oil to nourish the hair," he said, "then you have to brush. It is necessary to cut but not too much."

Naturally, there was a barber on hand to make sure everyone entered the competition looking their best.