Ever since the time of French kings there have been symbolic hunting parties in the royal palaces such as Rambouillet or Chambord. They continued under the republican presidents until being officially abolished by Jacques Chirac. Foreign dignitaries were invited to spend the weekend, at state expense, and take part in the President's Hunt.
President Macron has suggested re-introducing the event as it "fascinates foreigners; it is part of our culture". In practice the Chambord hunts still exist as part of the normal chasse season, though with some state privileges and attracting overseas visitors to the prestigious event.
We imagine that several members of the British Royal family would sympathise, organising as they do their own events at Balmoral. But the Queen crashing through the New Forest in pursuit of deer seems an unlikely echo of our culture. It seems that President Macron sees himself in the role of Francois I - beware of republican revolutionaries!
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