France's two presidential candidates go on the offensive in crucial debate
The far right's Marine Le Pen brands her opponent a "candidate of the elite"
Centrist Emmanuel Macron strikes back, accusing her of lying
The two argue over terrorism, the French economy and Europe
Four days from the poll, the debate is seen as the last real chance for Le Pen to close the gap on Macron in the polls
The last time the far right came this close to power was in 2002 under Marine Le Pen's father, Jean-Marie Le Pen
Some 20 million French viewers are expected to tune in for the debate, due to last 2 hours and 20 minutes
He has had a meteoric rise. And plans to go further. He is ambitious, but also lucky. To reach the top job, he needs more than luck.
How did the youngest candidate outmanoeuvre the rest of the field?
Read his profile by the BBC's Lucy Williamson.
Image source, Getty ImagesBut Macron is an exceptionally cool and articulate operator, our correspondent adds. Expect to see him hitting back hard at Le Pen's manifesto, particularly the parts on Europe and the economy, which have looked increasingly muddled in recent days as the candidate sends out contradictory signals about France leaving the euro.
Le Pen has the ground to catch up - she's at about 41% in the polls compared to 59 for Macron - so everyone expects her to be in aggressive form for this crucial encounter, the BBC's Hugh Schofield reports.
Expect her to hammer home the line that Macron is part of the discredited ruling elite, that he's more interested in banks than basic incomes, and that he had his chance when he served as adviser and minister for President Hollande. That attack has served her well in the last days, with polls showing that many left-wing voters now intend to abstain rather than vote for Macron.
"This evening the French will have a choice between continuity (Emmanuel Macron) and change (Marine Le Pen)" - Florian Philippot, the vice-president of the French National Front.
They're out today in Amiens to cheer on their man. The balloon reads "I'm on the move" - Macron's political movement is called "On The Move".
Image source, AFPLe Pen scored a neat publicity coup last week when she stole the limelight during a visit by Macron to factory workers in his home town, Amiens. Has she any more cards to play tonight?
The debate format is simple: Macron and Le Pen at a big desk with two moderators, Le Pen on the left, Macron on the right (the positions as well as the order of speaking was decided by lots).
Both moderators, Christophe Jakubyszyn and Nathalie Saint-Cricq (the photo shows them rehearsing on the set), are heavyweight political journalists, but not the big TV presenters France is used to. That is because the candidates objected to the initial choices. The far right in particular is on the look-out for any media bias.
Two French broadcasters, TF1 and France 2, are co-hosting the debate from La Plaine Saint Denis, in the northern suburbs of Paris.
Image source, EPAWelcome to our live coverage of France's final presidential debate, which promises to be a dramatic encounter between the two candidates who qualified for Sunday's run-off round. The debate gets going in just under half an hour.
For youthful centrist Emmanuel Macron, the newcomer riding high in opinion polls, it will be an opportunity to live up to expectations. Can his appeal emerge unscathed?
For combative politician Marine Le Pen, it will be a last chance to sway voters who would not normally back the far right. Can she get past Macron's defences?
Let us take you through the cut and thrust of the debate, with expert analysis by our correspondents and reaction as it happens.