Le Pen hails 'historic result'published at 20:08 British Summer Time 23 April 2017Breaking
Marine Le Pen thanks "patriotic voters" for a "historic result" and vows to defend the French nation and "its independence".
Summary
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
Le Pen hails 'historic result'published at 20:08 British Summer Time 23 April 2017
It feels like it's been a while...published at 20:08 British Summer Time 23 April 2017
since the predicted outcome came true.
The Wall Street Journal's Charles Forelle says it's the first time that's happened since 2015.
After Brexit, Trump, the 2015 Conservative majority in the UK, and the Colombian people rejecting the terms of a peace deal in a referendum... we see his point. Out of the big headline-grabbing votes of the past few years, this is the first that's gone the way it was expected to.
That said, we're only on the projected results just now. Let's see what the count brings.
Juppé: Le Pen 'would spell disaster'published at 20:04 British Summer Time 23 April 2017
Centre-right ex-PM and former presidential hopeful Alain Juppé backs Emmanuel Macron saying: "The far right would lead the country to disaster."
EU's chief negotiator backs Macronpublished at 20:02 British Summer Time 23 April 2017
The EU's chief negotiator for Brexit, Michel Barnier, has tweeted his support for centrist Emmanuel Macron in the second round.
"As a patriot and a European, I will place my confidence in Emmanuel Macron on 7 May. France should stay European!"
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End of twitter postWho will Mélenchon back in second round?published at 20:02 British Summer Time 23 April 2017
The far-left candidate is projected to poll around 19% of the vote, so there is a big question mark over who his campaign will support in the run-off.
His movement La France Insoumise (France unbowed) says it will consult its supporters before deciding whether to back either Emmanuel Macron or Marine Le Pen.
Le Pen 'would make a great president'published at 20:01 British Summer Time 23 April 2017
National Front supporter at campaign HQ tells France 2 TV: "Marine Le Pen will be a great president for France."
Second TV projectionpublished at 19:53 British Summer Time 23 April 2017
Earlier we brought you the France 2 TV projection. Here's the TF1/RTL projection, which also puts Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen in the second round. But the difference here is that the two leaders are neck and neck. Rarely do the main TV channels disagree.
Clashes in Parispublished at 19:53 British Summer Time 23 April 2017
Anti-fascist demonstrators have clashed with police in Paris following the announcement of the projected results of the first round of the French presidential election.
Image source, AFPImage caption, Police clash with anti-fascist demonstrators in Paris
'Woe and division'published at 19:52 British Summer Time 23 April 2017
In defeat, Mr Fillon points to Ms Le Pen as the main danger: "Extremism can only bring woe and division to France."
Fillon warns against far rightpublished at 19:49 British Summer Time 23 April 2017
Defeated centre-right candidate François Fillon - who endorsed Mr Macron for the second round - said Marine Le Pen would lead France to failure.
Youngest president since Napoleon?published at 19:49 British Summer Time 23 April 2017
At 39, Emmanuel Macron would be the youngest president of the Republic of France since Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte, AFP reports. Louis Napoleon was 40 when he came to power in 1848.
A solitary presidentpublished at 19:47 British Summer Time 23 April 2017
"Picture of the day," tweets French TV host. The image is of outgoing President François Hollande watching the election results in what looks like the Elysée Palace.
Mr Hollande is the first sitting president in modern French history not to seek re-election.
Macron - the story of the nightpublished at 19:46 British Summer Time 23 April 2017
The story of the night is Emmanuel Macron, the BBC's Hugh Schofield reports from Paris.
A 39-year-old who never ran for political office, and built up a big political following in a short time, is likely to become the next president.
Macron win would make Brexit toughpublished at 19:44 British Summer Time 23 April 2017
The BBC's Gavin Hewitt has tweeted that the prospect of an Emmanuel Macron win has implications for Britain's EU negotiations with France.
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End of twitter postFillon backs Macronpublished at 19:44 British Summer Time 23 April 2017
BreakingDefeated centre-right candidate François Fillon endorses Macron for second round
Former PM tweetspublished at 19:42 British Summer Time 23 April 2017
"As in the first round I will vote Macron... for France," tweets Socialist former PM Manuel Valls, of the Socialist Party.
He did not vote for his own party's candidate, that is, Benoît Hamon, who defeated him in a primary for the nomination.
Belgian PM congratulates Macronpublished at 19:40 British Summer Time 23 April 2017
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has tweeted congratulations to En Marche's Emmanuel Macron after polls suggesting that the centrist candidate will contest the second round on 7 May with far-right leader Marine Le Pen.
Mr Michel said he was "optimistic" about the result and a "forward-looking European project".
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End of twitter postCelebrations in the Macron and Le Pen campspublished at 19:37 British Summer Time 23 April 2017
Image source, EPALe Pen supporters celebrated at her headquarters in Hénin-Beaumont, northern France.
Image source, AFPThese Macron supporters celebrated at the Parc des Expositions in Paris.
Neck and neck?published at 19:35 British Summer Time 23 April 2017
Macron and Le Pen are neck and neck at 23%, according to a poll by Kantar Sofres Onepoint carried by Le Figaro newspaper, external.
Socialist candidate backs Macronpublished at 19:31 British Summer Time 23 April 2017
It looks like a devastating night for Socialist Benoît Hamon. Projections put him well behind the top four: "I encourage everyone to fight as hard as they can to fight the extreme right, and to fight for Macron," he said." I am making a distinction between my campaign rival and an enemy of the Republic."