The Crown and the Couch: Victoire Vallier’s Journey to Empathy
The air in Lyon on this late August morning, Friday, August 29, 2026, carried a sense of quiet determination, much like the woman at the heart of our story. Victoire Vallier, a name that once sparkled under the lights of the Miss Grand Lyon 2023 pageant, now resonates with the profound calm of a psychologist dedicated to the well-being of others. At just 23, Victoire, the recipient of the ‘Prix de l’Élégance’, has traded sashes for sessions, her innate empathy guiding her path far beyond the glittering stage.
Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, famously spent three decades attempting to unravel the complexities of the female psyche, a quest he reportedly never fully resolved. Yet, without the passage of such extensive time, Victoire Vallier appears to have found her own answers. She knows what she wants, and with an unwavering certainty, she believes the profession of psychology is her true calling.
Legitimacy in Youth: A Psychologist’s Perspective
Victoire, a Lyonnaise through and through, possesses a remarkable ability to dissect complex themes like age and legitimacy, using them to reaffirm her own standing in a field often associated with seasoned wisdom. ‘It is built with experience,’ she asserts, a conviction born not just from academic pursuit but from a deeply ingrained capacity to ‘welcome words without judgment’ and to harness her curiosity to ‘understand the human condition.’ And, crucially, to help it.
‘It’s a profession of words. Words carry weight. They can bring so much. It demands empathetic and theoretical skills,’ she continues, her voice reflecting the gravity of her chosen path. While popular caricature might reduce a psychologist’s vocabulary to a simple ‘hmm hmm,’ Victoire Vallier distinguishes herself by giving voice to unspoken ailments. ‘The psychologist helps you find the answer yourself to the meaning you attach to what you do,’ she explains, a formulation worthy of inclusion in specialized textbooks.
Miss Pageants: A Platform for Mental Health Advocacy
While Victoire refines her listening skills daily, volunteering in her family’s practice, she has already made a name for herself between the Rhône and Saône rivers. How? By moving her ‘couch’ to the offices of the Miss Grand Lyon committee. This is a competition she knows intimately, having experienced its triumphs and, more importantly, its inherent anxieties.
After her dream of a national crown faded, Victoire Vallier embraced a new mission: to open herself to others and to care for the candidates who would follow in her footsteps. ‘With Sophie Laviéville (director of the Miss Grand Lyon committee), we noticed there was a lot of anxiety among the contestants about presenting themselves, and profiles with various vulnerabilities. There was a real need for mental health prevention,’ the young woman explains.
This is a contemporary issue that Victoire is determined to address, dedicating her time to dispel fears and demystify subjects such as body image, success, the apprehension of defeat, vulnerability, and the vicissitudes of young adult life. ‘My goal is to protect them. I try to create a benevolent connection. With my exercises and mediations, it’s often an entry point to talking about oneself,’ she states.
It’s a timely endeavor, as women today face numerous challenges. Victoire Vallier wants to act for the common good. ‘We have a public utility profession. It takes time in a society where everything is immediate.’ This is precisely why it is essential to take the time to talk. And to let Victoire Vallier listen.
Her journey from beauty queen to dedicated psychologist is a testament to her unwavering commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of others, proving that true elegance lies not just in outward appearance, but in the profound capacity for empathy and healing.
Source: https://www.lyonpeople.com/actualites-lyon/actualites-people-lyonnais/les-nouveaux-visages-de-lyon-victoire-vallier-cette-psychologue-addict-au-bien-etre-des-autres-2026-08-29.html
