Emmanuel Macron was elected France’s youngest head of state since Napoleon last night after beating his far-Right rival Marine Le Pen in an emphatic result that will have far-reaching consequences for Brexit and Europe.

Projections gave 39-year-old Mr Macron almost two thirds of the vote, showing a clear path to the Élysée Palace for the pro-EU centrist who was a political unknown until three years ago and has never held elected office.

Addressing the nation, a sober Mr Macron immediately reached across the divide to Le Pen voters, saying he heard the "anger, anxiety and doubts" that many had expressed.

French Presidential Election - Final Round Results

But he did not shy away from his internationalist, pro-EU agenda, saying: "I will defend Europe; it is our civilisation which is at stake...I will work to rebuild ties between Europe and its citizens."

Later Mr Macron took the stage to the strains of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, the European Union anthem, in the courtyard of the Louvre museum.

He said France was facing an "immense task" to rebuild European unity, fix the economy and ensure security against extremist threats. “Europe and the world are waiting for us to defend the spirit of Enlightenment, threatened in so many places,” he told the crowd, as his his wife Brigitte and their extended family joined him.

Theresa May discussed Brexit with Mr Macron in a phone call late last night, Downing Street said. The Prime Minister "reiterated that the UK wants a strong partnership".

“France is one of our closest allies and we look forward to working with the new president on a wide range of shared priorities,” the statement said.

Story continues

French Elections 2017, in pictures

Mr Macron is expected to drive a hard bargain over Brexit, striking a strident note during his campaign by warning that negotiations would be “no walk in the park” and that Britain would be left in “servitude” as a result of leaving the EU.

However, the result was welcomed by some senior Conservatives who argued Mr Macron would bring much-needed stability to Europe ahead of the Brexit negotiations.

“We don’t want to be negotiating with an EU in existential crisis – which it would be if Le Pen had won,” said Crispin Blunt, the Tory chairman of the Foreign Affairs select committee.

European leaders rushed to welcome the victory of Mr Macron who had flown EU flags at rallies throughout his campaign and has promised to lead a ‘rebirth’ of the European project.

Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, had a “very warm” call with Mr Macron, his team reported while the German chancellor called his election a “victory for a strong, united Europe”.

Ms Le Pen’s party had made it clear they were gunning for at least 40 per cent of the vote. She failed to achieve such heights, but her performance maintained her record of improving the Front National’s score in every election since she became leader in 2011.

With around 11 million votes in her favour, Ms Le Pen, 48, won more than twice the amount her estranged father and FN co-founder, Jean-Marie, mustered in 2002. Ms Le Pen said the “historic and massive result” turned her “patriotic and republican alliance” into the “main opposition force against the new president’s project”.

At around 74 per cent, turnout was at its lowest since 1969.

French election results map

5:48AM

French kiss: passionate Macron supporters celebrate their new president

Screams of joy, kisses and rousing dance music.

A wave of human emotion wafted across the palatial esplanade of the Louvre Museum on Sunday night as thousands celebrated the victory of president-elect Emmanuel Macron - and the defeat of his far-right rival, Marine Le Pen.

Across town at a wooded chalet, Le Pen supporters remained combative, pledging to turn her party's strongest-ever electoral score into a major opposition force.

"Relief, relief, relief! There was a fear that the French would choose nationalism. It's been a difficult moment - the country is so divided. The atmosphere of the election - while not exactly civil war - was of a deep clash of ideas," 20-year-old student Alice Whitehead said as she partied at the Louvre.

Read the full story here.

Macron supporters kiss as they celebrate his victory outside the Louvre museum in Paris, France Credit: AP

5:06AM

Marine Le Pen claims victory in defeat and says Front National now main opposition force in France

Rory Mulholland reports from the Le Pen HQ last night:

There was dismay in the huge Chalet du Lac restaurant in a Paris park - where the party was holding its soirée électorale - when the provisional results of the election were announced at precisely 8pm local time.

But there was little sign of resignation or defeatism among the hundreds of Front National supporters present.

They booed when Mr Macron’s victory was announced, but quickly broke into a rendition of La Marseillaise, the national anthem, and cheered wildly when their candidate took to the stage to speak.

le pen

“This result makes my heart ache, it disappoints me,” said one supporter who would only give her first name, Chantal.

But many others were optimistic. Eric, a 26-year-old student, who said he was thrilled by what he called a “historic score” and said he was certain the story would triumph in the parliamentary elections due next month.

Most people at the event believed that the result was simply another milestone in the relentless advance of the party Ms Le Pen has spent years trying - and largely succeeding - to make more palatable by ridding of it of the xenophobic and anti-semitic elements that characterised it during her father’s reign.

Read the full story.

5:00AM

How papers reacted to Macron's win

Liberation (France)

An early edition front page of Liberation, the left-leaning French newspaper jointly founded by the late philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, simply declared "Well played," alongside a portrait of Mr Macron and "Well done" alongside a photograph of Ms Le Pen's back.

Le Figaro (France)

Newspaper Le Figaro features a photograph of a smiling Emmanuel Macron with the play on words "win by walking" playing on the name of Mr Macron's movement En Marche! (On the Move).

La Une de l'édition A de @Le_Figaro datée 8 mai, suite à l'élection de @EmmanuelMacron à la présidence de la République française... pic.twitter.com/Blzvi6bt2B — Marc Landré (@marclandre) 7 May 2017

L'Humanité (France)

Left wing daily L'Humanité says "a new battle begins" on its Monday front page.

A la Une de l'Humanité demain : Après la #Presidentielle2017 un nouveau combat commence avec les #legislatives2017https://t.co/F5XC9RYUuypic.twitter.com/lXnH9Xnl10 — l'Humanité.fr (@humanite_fr) 7 May 2017

Read our full round-up.

4:31AM

Le Pen 'came third' in presidential run-off

According to around 80 per cent of votes counted, 12 million registered voters abstained while 10.6 million voted for Ms Le Pen.

4:05AM

Chinese president congratulates Macron

Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, sent a “congratulatory message” on Monday to Emmanuel Macron, state news agency Xinhua said.

President Xi said in his message that China-France relations have been “developing steadily, healthily and consistently in recent years."

He added: “China and France bear special important responsibilities to world peace and development.

“China is willing to work with the French side to push the close and sustaining China-France comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level.”

#BREAKING: Chinese President Xi Jinping sends congratulatory message to French newly-elected President @EmmanuelMacronpic.twitter.com/ds8SyuOpNf — China Xinhua News (@XHNews) May 8, 2017

12:34AM

Le Pen dances her cares away

Marine Le Pen may have lost tonight, but she is winning the dancing! @FTpic.twitter.com/mol9RGSlUa — Michael Stothard (@MStothard) May 7, 2017

On assignment for @FRANCE24 Marine Le Pen dancing a rock after conceding defeat to Emmanuel Macron in French presidential race pic.twitter.com/4UoQ58mYIJ — Laure Fourquet (@LaureFourquet) May 7, 2017

12:32AM

Ode to Joy and promises to 'serve with love' at rousing Louvre party for France's Macron

David Chazanreports:

Emmanuel Macron walked solemnly into the courtyard of the Louvre museum to the strains of Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy’, the European Union anthem, amid rapturous cheering by tens of thousands of supporters.

The symbolism was evident. Mr Macron favours EU reform but remains a fervent supporter of the bloc.

The first foreign leader he spoke to after his victory was Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, in what was described as a "warm" phone call.

His supporters waved tricolour flags, cheered and jumped for joy after waiting for hours to greet the fresh-faced president-elect. At 39, he will be France’s youngest head of state since Napoleon.

Macron supporters at the Louvre Credit: Getty

Under the gaze of the classical statues on the museum’s ornate facade, he ascended a stage in front of the glass pyramid where tourists enter the Louvre.

“Thank you for fighting with courage and perseverance for so many months,” he said. “You’ve won. France has won.”

Read the full article.

12:23AM

Justin Trudeau send his congratulations

Please read my full statement on the election of Emmanuel Macron in France: https://t.co/jc8oJ3aRuE — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 7, 2017

11:49PM

Theresa May and Emmanuel Macron discuss Brexit

Theresa May discussed Brexit with Mr Macron in a phone call late last night, Downing Street said.

"This evening the Prime Minister spoke to President-elect Macron to warmly congratulate him on his election victory," a spokesman said.

"The leaders briefly discussed Brexit and the Prime Minister reiterated that the UK wants a strong partnership with a secure and prosperous EU once we leave."

11:21PM

Protests flare in central Paris

Scattered groups of masked protesters have clashed with police firing tear gas in eastern Paris after the election of pro-business independent Emmanuel Macron as France's new president.

About 100 protesters are dodging police in mobile protests through neighborhoods near the Pere Lachaise cemetery. Police are checking documents and detaining some protesters.

French anti-riot police chase after small groups of protesters demonstrating after the results of the second round of the French presidential elections in Paris Credit: EPA

During the presidential campaign, many groups held protests against Macron's far-right rival Marine Le Pen.

Some anarchist and far-left groups also held occasionally violent protests against both candidates, seeing Macron as too business-friendly and Le Pen as tainted by her party's racist past.

11:04PM

Emmanuel Macron’s wife, his former drama teacher Brigitte, to take centre stage as France's First Lady

David Chazan writes:

As his drama teacher, Brigitte Trogneux directed Emmanuel Macron’s stage debut in a school play at the age of 15.

As his wife, she mentored, coached and advised him during his presidential campaign.

As first lady, she will assume a powerful role that Mr Macron’s aides compare to that of Michelle Obama during her time in the White House.

French President elect Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Trogneux celebrate on the stage at his victory rally near the Louvre in Paris Credit: Reuters

He often refers to his wife, who is 24 years his senior, as his intellectual soulmate and confidante. Mr Macron, 39, says he will govern more effectively if he is happy — and that means having Brigitte at his side.

Read the full article.

10:02PM

Macron: France facing 'immense task' to rebuild European unity

Macron says that France is facing an "immense task" to rebuild European unity, fix the economy and ensure security against extremist threats.

Speaking to thousands of supporters from the Louvre Museum's courtyard, Macron said that Europe and the world are "watching us" and "waiting for us to defend the spirit of the Enlightenment, threatened in so many places."

Macron, who has never held public office and just founded his political movement a year ago, said "everyone said it was impossible. But they didn't know France!"

macron

He also promised to work to unify France after a bruising presidential campaign and serve the country "with love."

His wife Brigitte then came up on stage with him, and she kissed his hand and waved to the crowd.

9:53PM

EU anthem Ode to Joy played as Macron takes the stage

The European Union anthem "Ode to Joy" played as Emmanuel Macron arrived in the courtyard of Paris's Louvre museum to deliver his election victory speech to thousands of supporters.

"Tonight, France won," he said to rapturous crowds, adding that "Europe and the world are watching us."

9:50PM

Macron addressing the nation

9:29PM

Markets breathe 'sigh of relief' on back of Macron victory

French and European markets are set for a strong week as the french election results saw Emmanuel Macron succeed in his bid for the presidency. This pushed the euro up against the dollar as investors welcome the pro-EU economic reformer into the Elysee Palace, Tim Wallace Bradley Gerrard report.

The euro went above $1.10 - the first time it has done so since the US election result - after opening at $1.09 and the single currency also surged against the pound, hitting 84.9p from an opening level of 84.7p.

Read the full report.

9:21PM

Merkel and Macron in 'warm' phone call

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman says she has called Emmanuel Macron to congratulate him on his victory in the French presidential election.

Spokesman Steffen Seibert said Merkel "praised his stance for a united and open European Union during the campaign" and that "the decision of the French voters is a clear statement of support for Europe."

Seibert's statement said Merkel "looked forward to working together with the new president on the basis of trust in the spirit of the traditional German-French friendship."

france

9:09PM

Mariano Rajoy congratulates Macron

Mr Rajoy, the Spanish prime minister, sent a telegram congratulating President-elect Macron on his victory and expressing conviction that his “reformist proposals, firm defence of the process of European integration and the solid support received from the electorate” augurs well for a “strengthening of the European Union in a crucial moment in its history”.

8:42PM

Juncker "rejoicing" after Macron victory

Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission congratulated Mr Macron, acknowledging a "difficult" campaign in which "diametrically opposed" views of the future had clashed.

"For my part, I rejoice in the idea for a strong and progressive Europe that you have defended," Mr Juncker wrote, adding that he looked forward to Mr Macron carrying this forward into the debate on the future of Europe during his presidency.

Donald Tusk, another senior EU chief, praised Mr Macron for beating "fake news."

Félicitations à @EmmanuelMacron, aux français qui ont choisi la Liberté, l'Egalité et la Fraternité et dit non à la tyrannie des "fake-news" — Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) May 7, 2017

8:31PM

Macron may have won by more than 30 points

If the early voting projections are correct, Macron will have won with a vote share that's 30 points higher than Le Pen's.

Such a comfortable Macron win would be in line with what polls have been saying for weeks - but the pollsters may well have underestimated the 39-year-old centrist's winning margin.

French presidential election polling - round 2

Over the last four weeks, Macron's polling average on the Telegraph's poll tracker has been steady, securing between 59 and 64 per cent of the vote.

A winning vote share of 65.5 per cent would mean that Macron's final result is even more emphatic than what the pollsters have predicted.

8:26PM

Donald Trump's olive branch to Macron

Mr Trump endorsed Le Pen in the election, but just fired off this conciliatory tweet:





Congratulations to Emmanuel Macron on his big win today as the next President of France. I look very much forward to working with him! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2017

8:25PM

Watch: Marine Le Pen concedes defeat to Emmanuel Macron

8:18PM

Euro rises as continent sighs with relief

The euro went above $1.10 - the first time it has done so since the US election result after opening at $1.09, writes the Telegraph's Bradley Gerrard

The single currency also surged against the pound, hitting 84.9p from an opening level of 84.7p.

8:14PM

'I salute my adversary'

"I salute my adversary Ms Le Pen, I know why people chose to vote for an extreme party. I know the doubt, the fear they expressed.

"And it is my responsibility to take on those concerns and guarantee our unity and responsibility for our country.

"From tomorrow we will modernise politics, recognise pluralism, revitalise democracy. This will be my first mission, respecting everyone."

Macron

8:05PM

Macron speaks

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all those who voted for me," begins Mr Macron in his victory speech.

7:52PM

Front National to be renamed after crushing defeat

The FN's deputy leader was quoted as saying the party would change its name in the wake of its defeat at the hands of Emmanuel Macron.

And Marine Le Pen has said: "The National Front ... must deeply renew itself in order to rise to the historic opportunity and meet the French people's expectations.

"I will propose to start this deep transformation of our movement in order to make a new political force."

Marine Le Pen, French National Front (FN) political party candidate for French 2017 presidential election, concedes defeat at the Chalet du Lac in the Bois de Vincennes in Paris

7:46PM

Watch: Moment Emmanuel Macron is announced as France's new president

7:37PM

"Leave EU" group: RIP France

The Leave EU campaign, which presumably preferred a Le Pen victory over Macron, has just tweeted the following picture and message:

7:36PM

Brexit negotiator hails Macron victory

Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt said in a video posted on his Twitter account: "We supported him from the very start.

"I am relieved by his defeat of demagoguery and populism. I am also proud of his commitment to a social, liberal European project."

Mes félicitations pour président @EmmanuelMacron ! J'attends que la FR prenne l'initiative d'une nouvelle donne européenne #Presidentiellepic.twitter.com/t1NopoQ556 — Guy Verhofstadt (@GuyVerhofstadt) May 7, 2017

7:29PM

Jean-Claude Juncker: Voters chose a European future

As widely reported, Macron was the pro-EU candidate in this race, and Brussels chiefs are absolutely delighted with his win.

7:22PM

Theresa May congratulates Macron

"The Prime Minister warmly congratulates President-elect Macron on his election success," said a spokesman for the PM.

"France is one of our closest allies, and we look forward to working with the new president on a wide range of shared priorities."

7:20PM

Ecstatic Macron supporters wave EU and French flags

Supporters of Emmanuel Macron

7:19PM

Le Pen admits defeat

Ms Le Pen has conceded to Macron in a phone call and vowed to become major force of opposition.

7:18PM

Failed Dutch far-Right candidate: You'll win next time, Marine

Geert Wilders, who stood as a Right-wing populist in the Dutch elections but lost out to Mark Rutte, has offered his commiserations to Ms Le Pen. He went on to predict both of them would win in the next election.

Vive La France. Congratulations to new President, Emmanuel Macron on his decisive victory over the hard right. #frenchelection — Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) May 7, 2017

7:12PM

Nicola Sturgeon congratulates Macron

Vive La France. Congratulations to new President, Emmanuel Macron on his decisive victory over the hard right. #frenchelection — Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) May 7, 2017

Meanwhile, elated Macron supporters are cheering and making the V sign outside the Louvre.

Macron wins

7:04PM

Macron wins

Mr Macron has won the election with a substantial majority of 65 per cent, according to the latest exit polls.

France's polling agencies say that makes him the victor, and the next president of France.

French Presidential Election - Final Round Results

6:58PM

Election result to be announced in three minutes

Stay tuned.

6:19PM

Exit poll average - Macron 64 per cent, Le Pen 36 per cent

French Presidential Election - Final Round Results

6:14PM

Exit poll - Macron wins with 60 per cent of vote

An early exit poll from Ifop says Emmanuel Macron has won with between 60 and 63 per cent of the vote.

6:07PM

Most polls have now closed

Only those in larger cities now remain open, and in just under one hour an exit poll is expected.

Over at the Louvre, Team Macron is doing soundchecks in preparation for what could be his victory speech.

Over at Marine Le Pen's HQ, some journalists are grumbling that they have been banned from attending post-election events. Others refused to turn up in solidarity.

Selon @FN_officiel il n'y pas suffisamment de places pour @mediapart et autres. Voici la salle de presse. @libepic.twitter.com/GuLUPHqov4 — Jennifer Rankin (@JenniferMerode) May 7, 2017

5:32PM

Could abstentions prove key to a Macron win?

It was thought that Mr Macron could build a larger voting base than Ms Le Pen, as he was expected to mop up votes in the second round from those who support mainstream Right and Left candidates in the first.

But it appeared last night that a large number of supporters for the conservative, Francois Fillon, and the far-Left Jean-Luc Melenchon stayed home on election day.

And a vast number chose to spoil their ballots or abstain at the polls - as many as 29% of voters, according to one estimate.

Chart - Macron will pick up more Melenchon, Fillon and Hamon supporters than Le Pen

Polling conducted by Ifop after the first round of voting revealed that many voters had already decided to abstain in the second round.

Over a third of those who voted for Mélenchon in the first round said that they'd abstain, while a quarter of Fillon's supporters said the same.

Collectively, these two candidates attracted 39.5 per cent of the vote in the first round, and so their supporters' allegiances are crucial in deciding who will win today.

An abstention rate of 26 per cent would be the lowest in France since 1969.

Over a quarter of French people are expected to abstain

5:19PM

Man votes, then collapses and dies

Making his democratic choice was the very last act in the life of one unfortunate man in the Paris region this morning.

The 89-year-old had just slipped his voting ballot into the urn when he was overcome with chest pains and collapsed in the town of Draveil, Le Parisien newspaper reported.

Medics tried to revive him but a doctor later pronounced him dead.

5:04PM

Timelapse shows voters at a Paris polling station

4:37PM

French media refuses to cover Le Pen's speeches

Libération newspaper says it is boycotting the electoral events of Marine Le Pen this evening - whether she wins or loses - in solidarity with other French and foreign media outlets who have been refused access to them.

The left-wing daily says it will not carry any coverage of the events, during which Ms Le Pen is due to make a speech after the election results are announced, because the Front National has refused access to the gathering in a park in the east of Paris tonight to about a dozen media organisations.

"These anti-democratic measures, which are also contrary to the right to keep the public informed, must stop, as must the intimidation of journalists in (Le Pen) political rallies," wrote senior Libération editor Johan Hufnagel.

4:24PM

Investigation launched after Macron data hack

Paris prosecutors are investigating the hacking attack on presidential frontrunner Emmanuel Macron's campaign that led to thousands of files being leaked online, a source close to the case has told AFP.

The source said the probe was opened on Friday, the same day as the flood of documents were posted on the internet ahead of Sunday's run-off vote.

A picture taken in Paris, on May 5, 2017, shows vandalised campaign posters of French presidential election candidate for the En Marche ! movement, Emmanuel Macron.

4:21PM

The key statistics so far

The first exit poll is expected at 8pm French time (7pm UK time)

Belgian media have published polling data which predicts 60 per cent of the vote has gone to Macron

Voter turnout has dropped to just 60 per cent, compared to 2012's turnout of 70 per cent

4:13PM

Can Le Pen still beat Macron?

The Telegraph's data team has taken a close look at polling results and voter habits to see whether Ms Len Pen could pull off a shock victory today.

Macron is still widely expected to be able to build a broader voting base than anti-establishment Marine Le Pen. This is due to the fact that many of the first-round supporters of conservative François Fillon and far-left Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who collectively attracted 39.5 per cent of the vote, are expected to now switch to Macron.

Read more here.

Macron v Le Pen second round scenario

4:02PM

Le Pen and Macron return to HQ as they await first results

Both Marine le Pen and Emmanuel Macron have arrived in their respective campaign headquarters in Paris after casting their votes this morning in towns in the north of France.

Now they settle down for a nail-biting wait until 8 pm local time, when the winner of the most unpredictable French presidential election in decades will be announced.

French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen waits to vote

3:59PM

Low turnout continues continues into evening

As of 5pm, turnout was 65.3 per cent - lower than in the first round of voting.

It's also lower than 2012's second round of voting which was around 70 per cent.

Low turnout is bad news for Team Macron as it indicates voters who saw their top choice eliminated in the first round have stayed at home today.

The campaign hopes those who supported mainstream figures on the Right and Left in the first round would choose Mr Macron as a safe option in the second round.

French presidential election candidate for the En Marche ! movement Emmanuel Macron waves as he gets into a car to leave after voting in Le Touquet

3:27PM

Early poll - Macron to win with 60 per cent of vote

According to Belgian newspaper Le Soir, Mr Macron will win with around 60 per cent of the vote.

He has also enjoyed vast support from voters abroad and in French territories, according to the report, citing a poll carried out on Sunday.

Due to tough election regulations, the French media are barred from reporting this kind of information - so expect a lot of predictions from Belgian newspapers and TV in the hours to come.

A caveat - this is an early prediction.

3:15PM

Why this election will shape Brexit Britain's future

This mercurial election, in which the establishment parties of the Left and Right appear to have fallen by the wayside, will shape the coming Brexit negotiations and could – if far-Right Front National (FN) leader Marine Le Pen wins – even determine the future of the EU itself, writes Europe Editor Peter Foster.

Read more here.

2:59PM

Protest voting: a cautionary tale

This voter is getting a substantial amount of flak on Twitter for saying she voted Le Pen as she just wants to "p*** people off."

Pundits say a potential risk to Mr Macron's victory, which seems likely at this stage, would be a surge in disgruntled voters who lost their top choice in the first round choosing Le Pen to give the establishment a kicking.

This voter's aim seems to be simply winding people up - she has already got what she wished for.

Blandine as she left mass: "I'm voting Le Pe to piss people off. I don't believe she'll solve anything, I just want to piss people off." pic.twitter.com/ZXr0CDnUzO — Anealla (@anealla) May 7, 2017

2:43PM

Louvre security back to normal

French police say they have finished checking the courtyard near the Louvre - where Mr Macron's election party will be held tonight, and that things are back to normal.

The courtyard was evacuated earlier today amid security concerns.

#Louvre Fin des vérifications, retour à la normale. — Préfecture de police (@prefpolice) May 7, 2017

2:35PM

The politics of winning

Where does one celebrate victory after winning the French presidency? The victor has to be very careful not to send the wrong message - and get off to a bad start in the new job - with his or her choice of venue.

Celebration sites have a huge symbolic power, and both Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen are seeking to break with the past and the traditional left-right divide.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy

Nicolas Sarkozy got blasted for being far too bling bling when the conservative politician chose the fabled Fouquet's restaurant on the Champs Elysées after he won the presidency in 2007, and Mr Macron was criticised for partying in the fashionable Rotonde restaurant after his first round win two weeks ago.

The centrist candidate has opted for the dignified Esplanade du Louvre, the courtyard of the museum in central Paris, to make an appearance and a speech to cheering crowds if he wins tonight.

French presidential election candidate for the far-right Front National (FN) party Marine Le Pen (C)

He steered well away from both the Bastille and République squares, which are both associated with the left, and from Place de la Concorde, where Mr Sarkozy gave a victory speech in 2012 before heading to the high-society party in Fouquet's.

Ms Le Pen plans to celebrate at the Chalet du Lac restaurant in the Bois de Vincennes, a huge park in eastern Paris, if she comes out on top tonight. She is notably staying away from the area around the Paris Opera, where her firebrand father and founder of her far-Right Front National, Jean-Marie le Pen, would every year make a high-profile speech on may Day.

2:03PM

French astronaut tackles low turnout from space

France's astronaut on board the International Space Station has sent a message from outer space calling on French citizens to do their democratic duty and vote in today's presidential election.

Thomas Pesquet tweeted from the spaceship a reminder to his compatriots that they should get out and cast their ballot.

OK faisons une petite pause dans les photos: n’oubliez pas d’aller voter auj - moi j’ai fait ma procuration, alors pas d’excuse! ;) #Avoté — Thomas Pesquet (@Thom_astro) May 7, 2017

"I've done it by proxy, so there's no excuse," he wrote.

Pollsters say that many voters may abstain, refusing to choose between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen.

Abstentions are likely to be highest among left-wing voters who feel disenfranchised by Sunday's choice after nine other candidates were eliminated in the first round,

1:40PM

Watch: Carla Bruni sings national anthem and urges French to get out and vote

Carla Bruni, the pop singer wife of ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy, has posted a video of herself singing the Marseillaise to encourage people to go out and vote in today's presidential election.

The short video post on the Instagram account by the former supermodel shows the hand of her young daughter, Giulia Sarkozy, drawing a French tricolour flag while, off screen, her mother sings the French national anthem.

Mr Sarkozy has called on voters to back Emmanuel Macron in order to defeat the far-Right leader Marine Le Pen.

Aujourd'hui en ����France, on vote ������������������������������������������������������������������������video with sound �� #tapforsound #letsvote #avoté A post shared by Carla Bruni (@carlabruniofficial) on May 7, 2017 at 3:15am PDT

1:27PM

Tiny French island fights for right to keep voting

It has just 10 permanent residents but the French island of Chausey has valiantly managed to keep its voting station open.

The result there is unlikely to swing the presidential election one way or another, but locals and people with holiday homes on the island, which lies off the Normandy and Brittany coasts, insist on maintaining their right to exercise their democratic duty there.

Poll station manager Frederic Legrand stands at the entrance

Many holiday home-owners and the local hotel owner have registered to vote on Chausey, bringing the total number of registered voters to around fifty.

"We participate in the economic life (of the island) and it's important to also participate in maintaining political and democratic life here," said Vincent et Laurence Megale, the owner of the Hôtel du Fort et des Iles.

Poll station manager Frederic Legrand prepares to eat a croissant

He opens his establishment from March to October and spends the rest of the year in the south of France.

In the first round of voting on April 23, François Fillon was in pole position with 18 votes in Chausey, Emmanuel Macron got 17, Jean-Luc Mélenchon got four, and Marine Le Pen got just one.

1:19PM

Bin your least favourite candidate, voters told

France's polling system allows voters the satisfaction of throwing the voting slip of the candidate they don't want into a bin, notices Rory Mulholland in Paris.

In a Paris voting station, this bin is where you throw away one of two slips - for Le Pen or Macron - before putting other one in the urn pic.twitter.com/e2SMuC0afa — Rory Mulholland (@mulhollandrory) May 7, 2017

1:15PM

Surge of bets on Le Pen despite Macron's lead in the polls

A spokeswoman for Betfair said the odds of Mr Macron winning were greater than 90 per cent - but that has deterred few from putting their money on Ms Le Pen.

"Macron is now trading at 1/18 which implies a 94% chance of winning," said Naomi Totten.

Presidential Candidate Marine Pen

“But with the results of the US election and Brexit last year fresh in punters’ minds they are still backing Le Pen, with two thirds of bets coming in for the outsider.

“Polling in France is nowhere near as close as it was for Brexit and Trump but it would be wise to keep an eye on the market in the early hours to see if we are in for another political upset.”

1:04PM

French police: Louvre shutdown a "precaution"

French police have said the evacuation of a courtyard outside the Louvre where Team Macron will hold a post-election party was just a precaution.

#Louvre Il s'agit de simples vérifications en cours conduites par mesure de précaution. — Préfecture de police (@prefpolice) May 7, 2017

1:01PM

Daniel Hannan: President Le Pen would be a disaster - and she's not even Right-wing

Let’s get one thing clear at the outset, demands Daniel Hannan in his column today.

Marine Le Pen is not “far-Right”. She is not, in any meaningful sense, Right-wing at all. She wants wealth taxes, higher social spending, limited working hours, worker control of companies, tariffs.

The garrulous agitator is Right-wing only in the BBC sense of “baddie” – a designation which the corporation applies to everyone from the revolutionary ayatollahs in Iran to the Stalinist nostalgics in Russia.

Read more here.

Profile | Marine Le Pen

12:39PM

Macron's election party venue evacuated

A spokesman for the Macron campaign has said that a courtyard near the Louvre museum where post-election celebrations are due to be held has been evacuated over security concerns.

She did not give further details. The evacuation was ordered by police according to AP.

France is on high alert following a spate of terror attacks in Paris, Normandy and Nice.

The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isil) called for "lone wolf" attacks to be carried out by extremists in France in the run up to the election.

12:34PM

Cheerful Hollande casts his vote

France's outgoing president had a spring in his step today as he cast his vote in Tulle, central France, before he was handed this pink rose.

Outgoing French president Francois Hollande holds a rose at a polling station in Tulle, central France

Mr Hollande, the leader of the Socialist Party, has the not-lightly-bestowed title of being France's least popular president in living memory.

Only 26 per cent viewed him favourably during his tenure, according to one poll, which is the worst score since records began.

Outgoing French president Francois Hollande shakes hands with a man before casting his ballot at a polling station in Tulle, central France

Ms Len Pen repeatedly attacked Mr Hollande for taking a weak stance on Islamic extremism during the campaign trail, claiming that relaxed immigration and security policies allowed terrorist atrocities such as the November 2015 Paris massacre to happen.

12:23PM

'I'm a citizen of the world so Macron gets my vote'

Rory Mulholland in Paris has our first vox pop of the day, from Rachid Berdouzi, a 39-year-old IT worker.

“He’s for globalisation, for the EU. I’m a citizen of the world, so he gets my vote,” he said after casting his ballot in a primary school on Rue Martel in the trendy 10th arrondissement of Paris.

French presidential election candidate for the En Marche! movement Emmanuel Macron

By lunchtime both candidates and many of France’s political leaders had done their civic duty, with Mr Macron voting in Le Touquet, a town on the north coast where he has a holiday home.

Ms Le Pen voted in Henin-Beaumont in the northern rustbelt where many former Left-wing voters have switched their allegiance to the Front National.

French Presidential Election - First Round Results

12:12PM

Could Macron hack attack affect vote?

If you're just joining us, here is a quick video to bring you up to speed on what exactly took place and whether it could affect the election.

Neither candidate is allowed to comment on the attack, so at this rate we won't find out how badly it affected morale in Camp Macron until after the vote.

But a spokesman for Mr Macron's campaign said it was “clearly an attempt at democratic destabilisation, like that seen during the last presidential campaign in the US."

12:00PM

Pair offer radically different futures for France

The country's 47 million registered voters are being asked to choose between Mr Macron's business-friendly, pro-European vision and Ms Le Pen's protectionist, closed-borders view that resonates with workers left behind by globalisation.

She wants to give French nationals priority in jobs, housing, and welfare, slap extra taxes on foreign workers and imports, negotiate with the EU for return of “full sovereignty” for France, hold a referendum on "Frexit", and possibly stop using the euro as the national currency.

French election poll

Many political observers say that her victory, after the euro crisis and the Brexit referendum, would likely signify the beginning of the end for the EU.

Mr Macron wants to overhaul the “failed” French political system, ease labour laws, slash business tax, reform the unemployment benefits system, reduce public spending, and shrink the public sector.

The former economy minister’s victory would be interpreted as putting a possible stop to the wave of populism that sparked the Brexit referendum result and swept Mr Trump to power in the US.

11:57AM

Mr and Mrs Macron cast their votes

Mr Macron and his wife, Brigitte (née Trogneux), have been spotted casting their votes in Le Touquet.

The story of how Mr Macron met his 64-year-old wife has been the subject of intense gossip across the continent, not least of all because she is the presidential contender's former teacher.

Brigitte Trogneux, the wife of French presidential election candidate Emmanuel Macron casts her ballot during the the second round of 2017 French presidential election Credit: PHILIPPE WOJAZER

The couple met in 1992, when Macron was just 15 years old, and a pupil at a private school in Amiens.

Brigitte, born into a wealthy family of chocolatiers in 1953, was his literature teacher, and a married mother of three.

Find out more here.

Brigitte Trogneuxs best looks

11:48AM

Turnout lower than in 2012

As of midday, the turnout for today's vote is just 28.3 per cent - lower than the 2012 election in which Francois Hollande beat Nicolas Sarkozy.

Voter turnout for French presidential runoff at midday was 28.23 pt, slightly lower than round 1 and below 2012 & 2007 #frenchelection2017 — Henry Samuel (@H_E_Samuel) May 7, 2017

This may not come as welcome news for the Macron campaign, who hoped supporters of defeated mainstream Right-wing and Left-wing candidates would flock to them in the second round.

It appears that some disgruntled voters have decided to stay home instead.

11:40AM

Jean-Marie Le Pen: Marine hasn't got what it takes

Jean-Marie Le Pen has issued an extraordinary attack on his daughter, claiming she lacks the right qualities to become president.

Mr Le Pen, the 88-year-old former leader of the Front National, said Ms Len Pen had "character," but not much else.

Former far-right National Front leader Jean-Marie Le Pen clenches his fists before a speech near the statue of Joan of Arc

In an interview with the Sunday Times in Paris, he complained his daughter had not sought his advice during the campaign and ignored his emails expressing support.

He insisted that he does want Ms Le Pen to win the election, pointing out he as "called unequivocally for people to vote Marine."

However, he went on to say that his 28-year-old granddaughter, Marion Marechal-Le Pen, would have been a better candidate.

RegisterLog incommenting policy