Liberal centrist Emmanuel Macron - winner of the first round - and nationalist Marine Le Pen are already revolutionising French politics.
They have delivered a big blow to the long-dominant Socialists and conservative Republicans.
Mr Macron leads a new movement called En Marche (On the Move), while Ms Le Pen is backed by the National Front (FN). They disagree on many issues, especially Europe and immigration.
The decisive second round is on 7 May - and polls suggest Mr Macron is ahead. So what are the main differences between the Macron and Le Pen visions?
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Last updated  April 25, 2017
The polling average line  looks at the five most recent national polls and takes the median value, ie, the value between the two figures that are higher and two figures that are lower.
National renewal is what both the rival French presidential candidates are promising, but they offer very different paths to get there.