Marine Le Pen hopes for another face-off against Emmanuel Macron

THIS IS THE heart of France’s champagne country, but no vineyard or chateau is to be seen. Instead, a procession of a dozen shiny navy-blue buses pulls up outside an angular concrete convention centre on the outskirts of the cathedral city of Reims. One by one, they disgorge flag-waving supporters, who have travelled from across the country. On the side of each bus is a giant full-colour portrait of their champion, and just two words: Marine présidente.

Time was, leaders of the French far right moved about incognito. It is a measure of how far the nationalist-populist Marine Le Pen has become an accepted political figure that, ahead of the presidential election on April 10th and 24th, she advertises her travels and those of her fans. “She’s a brave, respectful, honest woman, who has very French convictions and values,” declares a pensioner, stepping off the bus from southern France for the day, as the gathering crowd breaks into a rendition of La Marseillaise. “She’s the only option to save our country today.”