In pictures: French voters at play

Jean-François Daguin, 26, computer consultant

"We have a clash between two economic models. Sarkozy is defending a British or US-style market-based system, and Royal is a Socialist who emphasises the role of the state.

"I voted for [centrist candidate François] Bayrou in the first round and am still not sure who I will go for in the second.

"But the traditional socialist approach appears obsolete to me, so I incline towards Sarkozy - although I feel he should tone down his rhetoric."