France is a nation divided as it heads to the polls today, with many people saying they feel they are voting for the "lesser of two evils".

In recent years, the country has suffered with high levels of unemployment, a weak economy and security issues.

People are calling for change, with some suggesting that parts of the country are losing their "Frenchness".

Image: Marine Le Pen and Emmanuel Macron have clashed ahead of Sunday's vote

Albi, a small, picturesque city in the South of France, is a UNESCO heritage site. Steeped in beauty, its narrow, cobbled streets run parallel to the River Tarn.

However, look a little closer and, like many other towns and cities in France, it has suffered economically.


The shutters on many traditional butchers and bakeries are closed. They've been priced out as big businesses and supermarkets move in.

In a rustic corner of the city, several young men play petanque. Some of them are out of work.

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Anthony Marcheix, who is in his late twenties, had to move abroad to find a job. He told Sky News: "The economy actually is really bad, I think because the euro is going down.

"Mostly it's about job losses here. Big enterprises are going away because in France it is more expensive and you have to pay a lot of tax."

What do we know about Emmanuel Macron?

Albi was once home to Jean Jaures, who became the French socialist leader in 1895.

Emmanuel Macron, who served in Francois Hollande's government, has a lot of support in the city, but in the wider region of Tarn, his popularity is almost equal to his right-wing opponent, Marine Le Pen.

It's for that reason Mr Macron chose Albi as the location for his final rally, hoping to sway undecided voters. Around 5,000 turned out to hear his speech, which focused on unity and confidence.

But at the city's market, many people insist that voting is all about choosing between the lesser of two evils.

Juliette Bardi, 53, used to work in IT, but became a fruit seller when the economic crisis hit. Now she has to work two jobs to make ends meet.

What do we know about Marine Le Pen?

She told Sky News: "We are not voting for someone, we are voting against the other one and that is not a good way to vote."

Meanwhile, Valerie Celaries, who is originally from the UK but has lived in France with her husband for 50 years, said: "It is very clear for us how we will vote, but not for a lot of people. For us Europe is very important and so I will vote for Emmanuel Macron."

A huge proportion of people in Albi say they will spoil their ballot or abstain.

Many backed left-wing candidate Jean Luc Melenchon in the first round. However, he is no longer in the running and has not officially endorsed either Mr Macron or Ms Le Pen.

All across France, opinions are split. Throughout this election campaign there has been a bitter war of words and with just hours to go until polling, it seems that everything is to play for.