Independent centrist Emmanuel Macron will face far-right Marine Le Pen in a run-off on 7 May
Mr Macron, a 39-year-old who has never fought an election before, tells jubilant supporters: "In one year, we have changed the face of French politics"
Marine Le Pen called on "all patriots" to join her and "concentrate on what is essential - the survival of France"
The beaten candidates from mainstream parties, Socialist Benoît Hamon and conservative François Fillon, declare support for Mr Macron
Far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon tells supporters he will not comment until full official results are published. The figures are expected around midnight (22:00 GMT).
Ex-National Front leader Jean-Marie Le Pen has gone on French radio to condemn his daughter's expected challenger. Speaking on Europe 1, he called him a "Socialist in disguise" and said he was ready to do all he could to help his daughter win.
The two leading candidates through to the second round of the French presidential election have been celebrating with supporters at their headquarters.
Image source, AFP/Getty ImagesNational Front leader Marine Le Pen delivers a speech to supporters
Image source, EPAMarine Le Pen is greeted by supporters at her headquarters in Hénin-Beaumont
Image source, ReutersSupporters of centrist Emmanuel Macron react to Saturday's results
Image source, ReutersMacron supporters wave EU flags along with the French tricolor
Germany's Foreign Minister, Sigmar Gabriel, has welcomed the projections that Macron is through to the second round.
"It's about France, of course, but it's also about Europe," he says.
"I'm happy that Emmanuel Macron has won this round because he was the only truly pro-Europe candidate.
"I am sure that he will put right-wing extremism and populism and Euroscepticism in its place in the second round.
"He's a seriously nice man and a good friend."
Emmanuel Macron leaves HQ to address cheering supporters, almost two hours after polling ends
As demonstrators clashed with riot police on the streets of Paris, at least one protester, a woman, was injured.
Firefighters were also called to the scene of the incident as police tried to control large crowds in the Bastille area.
Image source, ReutersFrench riot police try to control the crowds amid demonstrations in Paris
Image source, ReutersSome of the demonstrators were injured during clashes with riot police
Image source, AFP/Getty ImagesRiot police in Bastille, Paris, move in on crowds of angry demonstrators
The euro has jumped to its highest point since mid-November, Reuters news agency says
It went up 2% to $1.09395, its highest level since the day after Donald Trump won the US presidency last November.
It attributes the rise to the projected defeat of Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the far-left candidate for the French presidency.
France's interior ministry says with 20 million votes counted, Marine Le Pen has 24.38%, ahead of Emmanuel Macron on 22.19%. François Fillon has 19.63% and Jean-Luc Mélechon 18.09%. That would represent about half the vote, but will not include the main cities.
The far-left candidate, who's challenging for third place according to all projections, says he and his team do not "acknowledge the result on the basis of polls". He has gone on Facebook, external to say "the results of the big cities aren't yet known. I call on commentators to exercise caution".
So says a disappointed Mélenchon supporter, interviewed tonight by the BBC in Paris.
Initial projections indicate the left-winger did not make it through to the second round.
Leftist Nathalie Arthaud says she will cast a blank vote in the second round.
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Right-wing Eurosceptic candidate Nicolas Dupont-Aignan says the election marks the "deserved collapse of established parties", and that he will reveal his endorsement for the second round later.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon leads the race in the overseas departments of Martinique and French Guiana, with 27% and 25% respectively, according to Le Figaro, external
We've heard from Marine Le Pen, so all eyes will be on the 39-year-old centrist challenging her for the presidency on 7 May, assuming the projections are right.
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French President François Hollande spoke with Emmanuel Macron by phone to congratulate him for making it through to the run-off.
Image source, ReutersFrançois Hollande pictured with Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris in 2013
The business of actually counting the votes has only just begun and the official result won't be announced for some time.
Image source, AFPThese volunteers are counting in Toulouse.
Marine Le Pen promised to "free the French people from arrogant elites", saying the country's "survival is at stake"
Marine Le Pen says the "great debate will finally take place", as she looks forward to a direct contest with Emmanuel Macron.
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