The pro-European Mr Macron, a 39-year-old former investment banker, and Ms Le Pen, 48, far-Right scion of the National Front party, have haggled right down to whether cutaways should be permitted and the names of the journalists quizzing them; the FN blackballed one presenter for being "too pro-Macron".

The pair are expected to clash over diametrically opposed views on Europe, immigration, the economy and French identity after a bruising final week of campaigning.

Polls show Macron holding a comfortable but lead in the polls of 59 percent versus 41 percent, but previous debates have led to tectonic shifts in public opinion and both have lightened their schedule to prepare for the clash.

"I want to get down to hand to hand combat, to get to the bottom of issues to show that her ideas are false solutions," said Mr Macron. "I will not go for insults or shortcuts…I listened to Ms Le Pen yesterday; that's all she does."