The Elysée has a new 'First Pet'

Just under a year old, Nemo was adopted from a SPA refuge, while Philae, who has left with Mr Hollande, was offered to him by a veterans’ group.

Sources close to the palace say Nemo was named after the submarine captain in Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues under the Sea, which is said to be a favourite of President Macron (rather than the fishy star of a 2003 Pixar film).

The tradition in fact goes back some time, at least to François Mitterrand, who had a labrador called Baltique throughout two septennats.

While dogs are popular with French presidents, the UK has a tradition of a Downing Street cat, who has the title of Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office.

A famous incumbent was Humphrey, Margaret Thatcher’s cat, who was named after the character of Sir Humphrey in Yes, Prime Minister. The current one is Larry, a brown and white tabby who has served under David Cameron and Theresa May.