 In the moments before the first projections of the results were announced, the champagne was already flowing at this national rally party here. Hundreds of people had champagne flutes in their hands. They were already very much enjoying themselves. And when the projections were put on the giant screens here from one of the main French television channels, the place just erupted into cheering. People were jumping in the air. They were hugging each other. It really was a party atmosphere here.