The French will go to the polls this weekend, and again on May 7 to pick their new president, and the world will be watching to see just how far the "populist wave" has travelled.

After the surprise of Britain's Brexit referendum and the election of Donald Trump as US president, just what kind of politician – and politics – France chooses will be of huge interest to many, not just those inside Europe.

Here's everything you need to know about the battle for the Élysée Palace.

Who are the candidates?

The top five candidates in 2017's French election are, in alphabetical order: François Fillon (Les Republicains), Benoît Hamon (Socialists), Marine Le Pen (Front National) and Emmanuel Macron (Independent) and Jean-Luc Mélenchon (Unbowed France).

While there is no clear winner at this stage – political scandals, distrust of polls, the shock Brexit result and Donald Trump's victory mean that sure bets off – there is a frontrunner.

When is the election?

Candidates are pitted against each other twice – the first round of the vote takes place on Sunday, April 23. Then, the two top candidates face each other in a second run-off, on Sunday, May 7.