France 3 (channel 3 on French TV) has offered its viewers animal mascots for the holiday and summer schedules since 2001.

On air since the summer of 2015, the previous mascots (marmots) featured in the clips that frame commercials have since become real celebrities: their humorous scenes, which echoed the news of France 3 programs, have accumulated over 70 million views on social networks and having received no less than 41 international awards.

By separating itself from its emblematic marmots, the public channel wishes to renew its image. They were replaced as of December 2021 by three new animals: gallinules. But why hens to replace marmots? Because they can be found everywhere in France and they are very popular.

Meet these three clumsy and rebellious hens, always at the heart of hyper-realistic graphic designs: Cot, Kot and Cotte. Whether they play Marilyn over a manhole, turn into Madame de Pompadour, or try snowboarding, these funny birds, each one cuter than the next, are in for new and tasty adventures in the four corners of France.

"A consultation with different agencies was launched to take over the mascots. We finally chose the hen for different reasons: they are found everywhere in France and the French buy more and more of them to put them in their gardens and have eggs.

We chose the silk hens in particular because they are more atypical and physically prettier than classic hens. They are very cute. They have a small side "silly" but are very attaching and lively. On the other hand, it was technically complicated because, in animation, the hairs are one of the most difficult thing to make."

Laurent Sauvage, France 3 artistic director