Is Francois Hollande having affair with actress Julie Gayet ?

Julie Gayet & Francois Hollande

A French magazine, Closer, claims Francois Hollande is having an affair with actress Julie Gayet.

In its Friday print edition, Closer featured seven pages of revelations and pictures on the 59-year-old French President's alleged relationship with Gayet. The weekly tabloid reports that Hollande routinely drives through Paris on his scooter to spend the night with his 41-year-old mistress.

French magazine, Closer

The pictures published have raised security concerns as it shows the head of state accompanied by only one bodyguard when he treks halfway across Paris to Gayet's flat. Another picture taken in the morning shows the bodyguard arriving with a bag of croissants.

In a statement from the Elysée Palace, Hollande did not directly deny the report but accused the magazine of breaching his privacy. He condemned the coverage as an "attack on the right to privacy" and said he was considering legal action against Closer.

Julie Gayet

Gayet is an established television and cinema character actor who has appeared in more than 50 films. She is the mother of two children. Rumours of the relationship between Hollande and Gayet first surfaced last year, but were initially denied by both parties. In March 2013, Gayet began legal action to identify who was behind internet rumours that she was romantically involved with the president.

Hollande lives with his partner Valerie Trierweiler for whom he left Segolene Royal, the mother of his four children.

Francois Hollande & Valérie Trierweiler

Valérie Trierweiler, who  is a former Paris Match journalist, is considered to be France's first lady. Ségolène Royal, a Socialist politician, ran against Nicolas Sarkozy in the 2007 presidential race.

Francois Hollande & Ségolène Royal

I kinda feel sorry for Valérie Trierweiler. What an humiliation ! Guess she now knows exactly how Ségolène Royal felt when she snatched him away from her.