Centrist Emmanuel Macron has been sworn in as France's president after last week's sweeping election victory.
Emmanuel Macron (right) is welcomed at the Elysee presidential Palace by his predecessor François Hollande. Photo: AFP
A sumptuous inauguration ceremony was held in the Elysee Palace presidential residence in Paris where the 39-year-old former investment banker and economy minister became France's youngest leader since Napoleon.
He officially became president when Laurent Fabius, chairman of the constitutional council and a former prime minister, read out the results of the election in which Mr Macron beat far right leader Marine Le Pen.
Mr Macron talked of a new renaissance.
"The world needs what the French have always taught. For decades France has doubted herself."
But, he said, the world, and Europe, need France more than ever.
Mr Macron's La République En Marche movement was formed just last year and it's fielding candidates for all 577 seats in next month's parliamentary elections.
A source close to Mr Macron earlier said the country's next prime minister would be appointed on Monday and the new government on Tuesday.
Reuters / BBC