As the exit-poll results rolled in, projecting a clear winner, the celebrations began on Paris's famed boulevard, the Champs D'Elysees.
In the shadows of one of the city's most prominent landmarks, the Arc De Triomphe, the sound swelled.
Outside the Louvre Museum, the party was also underway.
And the star guest was the country's newly elected president, Emmanuel Macron.
(Chanting in French:) "Macron, president! Macron, president." (French and translator:) "Thank you to you for being here this evening. We are tens of thousands, and I can only see a few faces. Thank you. Thank you for being here. Thank you for having fought with courage but kindness for so many months."
While promising a close French allegiance to Europe, the former investment banker has acknowledged the divisions that prompted some voters to choose a nationalist option.
"Because they did express today the rage, the loss, and the conviction in some cases, and I do respect that. And I will do my utmost for the five years to come to make sure that they don't have any reasons to vote for an extremist position ever again."
Earlier, nationalist candidate Marine Le Pen had conceded defeat, the election result showing her with just over 34 per cent of the vote.
"The French have chosen a new president of the Republic and have voted for continuity. I called Mr Macron to congratulate him for his election and because I have at heart the superior interests of the country. I wished him success in front of the massive challenges that France is facing. I want to thank the 11 million French people who granted me their voice and their trust, as well as the activists that have supported and accompanied me all along this campaign."
Ms Le Pen has promised to harness that support and establish a potent political movement.
But on the streets, there was optimism among Parisians for the election of France's youngest president ever -- and its youngest leader since Napoleon.
(First:) "I'm really, really, really happy, because Emmanuel Macron is a good solution, a good choice, to keep our valour in France. We love Europe."
(Second:) "I'm very happy. I love this result."
(Third:) "It means confidence. It means (a) future. France is not dead. France is not an old country dying. France has hope."
World leaders have congratulated Mr Macron, who only set up his new En Marche! political movement a year ago.
United States president Donald Trump and Australia's prime minister Malcolm Turnbull have tweeted they are looking forward to working with him.
So has British prime minister Theresa May, who noted France is one of Britain's closest allies.
And German chancellor Angela Merkel has declared Mr Macron's win a victory for a strong, united Europe.
But as he celebrated victory, it was all about France for President-Elect Emmanuel Macron ...
He closed his eyes and put his heart to his chest as the stirring rendition of the French national anthem came to a close.
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