Conservative candidate Nicolas Sarkozy on Sunday won the French presidential elections, beating Socialist Segolene Royal.

Sarkozy will replace 74-year-old President Jacques Chirac.

Reports said a huge turnout gave him a strong mandate for reform.

Sarkozy's supporters flooded Paris to celebrate the victory that extended the right's 12-year grip on power in France.

Sarkozy said he will represent the entire nation and heal the divisions of a particularly bitter election campaign.

With 75 per cent ballots counted, Sarkozy had won 53.4 percent of the vote against 46.6 percent for Royal.