French centrist Macron: a novice at the Elysee Palace

French President elect Emmanuel Macron reacts after he delivered a speech during his victory rally near the Louvre museum after results in the 2017 presidential election in Paris, France, May 7, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

"France has voted for continuity," she told supporters after early projections were released, adding she wished Macron luck "in the face of the immense challenges that await him."

In a brief concession speech, Le Pen said she wants to create a new political force, calling on "all French patriots" to join her.

"The National Front must deeply renew itself in order to rise to the historic opportunity and meet the French people's expectations," she said, proposing "to start this profound transformation in order to "make a new political force for the upcoming legislative election."

The 48-year-old lawyer followed in the footsteps of her father Jean-Marie Le Pen, who founded FN and reached the second round of the presidential election in 2002. He was defeated by then president Jacques Chirac after voters from the left and the right rallied around the latter.

Fifteen years later, Le Pen, despite the presidency defeat, gained widespread support by smoothing the image of the anti-immigrant party and styling herself as the candidate who defends the French interests against liberalism.

As the presidential contest is over, eyes are now on the two-round parliamentary election in June to see whether the new head of state can have the political muscle to deliver on reformist projects he had been campaigning for months.

Voters will return to polling station in June 11 to 18 to pick their representatives in the National Assembly, the lower house of the French parliament.

Addressing his supporters in front of the Louvre Museum, Macron said he's confident about forming a "true and strong majority" in the legislative body.