Follow in the president's steps

PRESIDENT Hollande's home town of Tulle in Corrèze is launching a new "Follow in the footsteps of François Hollande" tourist trail at the beginning of next month.

Tourist chiefs say they are responding to growing demand from visitors who want to see the sites that have marked his career.

Organiser Marie Bonchet from the tourist office told France TV INfo "the idea is to get to know the president better".

That means visits to:

* the 19th century mairie, where Hollande was deputy mayor from 1989 until he became mayor himself between 2001 and 2008;

* the Parc de la Mairie, where he would walk at lunchtime,

*the 17th century Conseil général building where he was president from 2008,

* the Place de la Cathédrale where he made his televised speech after the election

* favourite restaurants such as La Taverne du Sommelier and Le Central where visitors can enjoy his meal on the day he was elected, "crevettes for starter, then rack of lamb",

* and the town's medieval district, the Trech.

A day's outing to the sites and a meal from the menu François Hollande at Le Central will set visitors back €25.