Fort de Brégançon opens for public tours during Macron's final summer stay

The Fort de Brégançon, a historic French presidential summer residence, is opening its doors for public tours during what is expected to be the Macron family's final summer at the location. The fort, situated in Bormes-les-Mimosas, has hosted presidents since 1968.

According to reports, former President François Hollande found the retreat less than ideal during his first and only visit in 2012. Shortly after his election, he vacationed there with his then-partner, Valérie Trierweiler. The visit was reportedly marred by intense media attention, with Trierweiler feeling hounded by paparazzi, and Hollande faced criticism for taking a vacation so early in his presidency. The experience left Hollande with a "bitter taste," and he did not return for subsequent holidays.

Paradoxically, it was Hollande who initiated the opening of the Fort de Brégançon to the public. These guided tours have proven to be a significant draw for tourists, reportedly achieving higher popularity ratings than the presidential stays themselves. David Goncalves, director of the Bormes-les-Mimosas Tourist Office, noted that the fort is the most requested guided tour in the commune. Visitors can explore the site with a guide when the presidential couple is not in residence, offering a glimpse into a "living place, a place inhabited by the presidential couple."