French voters turn out to the polls for the first round of the presidential election on Sunday after a lackluster campaign marred by the crisis in Ukraine, France24 reports.

Eleven contenders - from the communist left to anti-immigration far-right candidates - are seeking to oust French President Emmanuel Macron, who is seeking to become the first sitting president to win re-election since Jacques Chirac in 2002.

The two candidates with the most votes will advance to the second and final round of elections on 24 April.

Purchasing power and the situation around Ukraine are at the top of the list of concerns for voters in the final phase of an unusually low-key campaign.

About 48.7 million people are registered to vote, although polls warn that one in four may abstain from voting.

Earlier, experts noted that the main rival of Macron, who is the favorite in the elections, will be the leader of the National Rally party, Marine Le Pen, and together they will break out into the second round.