I met President Hollande!
 

Hi all

In Paris for a month and yesterday while walking on Faubourg St Honore, who comes walking down the street but President Hollande.

As he shook hands with people on the street, he walked right up to me, looked me right in the eye and very graciously said Bonjour Madame!

Nice thrill for the day.

His secret service were very lovely. Up close he is a nice looking man.

lol, tripgirl, I'm not sure I'd recognise him if I saw him.

well done for keeping your cool [and knowing who he was!

<<Up close he is a nice looking man.>>

clearly you are not the only woman to think so.

"Up close he is a nice looking man."

Are you sure it was him? :-)

Oh ye of little faith :-)!

Yes I'm sure it was him along with an entire security detail and lots of onlookers . And yes I do know what he looks like, I'm actually more interested in the political landscape of other countries besides my own US!

Annhig: I did keep my cool; as thrilling as it was, I'm actually not a star struck person. It was wonderful being in the moment

And he is very interested in continuing his image as 'Mr Normal' - is shown on the news taking the train, or commercial air flights rather than official jet. So not surprising he would be walking down the street.

Anyway, the Socialists massively won the legislative elections tonight, so people will have 5 years to become familiar with his face and his values.

What exactly is thrilling about meeting that man?

Just don't tweet about it. His people are a bit jumpy at the moment about ladies who tweet....

PS I seem to recall that in Mitterrand's day no-one (apart, presumably, from other residents) was allowed to walk down the street where he kept his private residence.

No one was allowed to <b>drive</b> down rue de Bièvre where he lived. I walked down it all the time with my friends because one of our favourite couscous restaurants was located directly across from his front door.

I do remember being able to take photos of 10 Downing Street in London in the 1970's, but those days seem to be long gone.

Oy.....

All I wanted to say is that it was indeed thrilling to meet the president of France. Why must so many threads take a turn....

Au Revoir.....

Some people here have a certain agenda to respect. Don't worry about it, tripgirl. If it was a pleasant event for you, it should remain that way for you permanently.

I have shaken hands with certain controversial world figures, and I felt honored even when I did not agree with their policies.

to be fair, tg, it's really only muggi who rained on your parade.

Tripgirl, good for you! Obviously, it’s a whole new ballgame in France after the Zarko years – or is it? In any case, I appreciate your enthusiasm in having met the new president.

Returned from Paris yesterday. Last week I strolled down the Rue Varenne (on my way to the Rodin) looking for the former residence of the American writer Edith Wharton. Across from where she lived years ago is the residence of the current French President of the Council, similar to our Prime Minister. Chatted briefly with the gendarmes outside who were quite friendly and relaxed.