France's President-elect Emmanuel Macron greeted thousands of supporters outside Paris's Louvre museum.

With a serious, almost sombre tone, reflecting a divided nation, he pledged to "guarantee unity", acknowledging he faces an "immense task" ahead.

The country's youngest ever president defeated the far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, polling more than 66% of the vote compared to his rival's 34%.

Ms Le Pen swiftly conceded defeat once polls closed. Addressing supporters at a small venue on the eastern edge of Paris, she said she had called Mr Macron to congratulate him, adding, pointedly, that the French people had voted for "continuity".

Mr Macron's supporters, meanwhile, roared with delight at the news, jubilantly waving red, white and blue tri-colour flags at a victory party outside the Louvre.

Addressing the crowd, Mr Macron said Europe and the world were "watching us" and "waiting for us to defend the spirit of the Enlightenment, threatened in so many places".

"France has won! Everyone said it was impossible. But they do not know France!" he said.

"I know the divisions in our nation, which have led some to vote for the extremes. I respect them," he said.

"I know the anger, the anxiety, the doubts that very many of you have also expressed. It's my responsibility to hear them.

"I will work to recreate the link between Europe and its peoples, between Europe and citizens."

According to Sky news, His victory speech at the Louvre followed an embarrassing series of errors as he addressed the nation on live television from his party's headquarters.

As the broadcasters cut to the live feed of his address it became clear he wasn't ready. An aide was still applying make-up to his face and he was then seen practicing his speech on live television.

When he finally began his statement, he struck a serious tone but was looking at the wrong camera.

Aside from the last-minute glitches, his triumph marks a stunning rise for the banker turned politician, who only set up his En Marche! (On The Move) party last year and has not previously been elected to public office.

The election has seen a remarkable shift in French politics, with the traditional centre-right and centre-left parties falling at the first round for the first time since the founding of the Fifth Republic by Charles de Gaulle in 1958.