French President Emmanuel Macron slapped by man in crowd during visit to La Drôme in south-east France

The President’s security detail quickly intervened when the man slapped Mr Macron on Tuesday as he approached a crowd of onlookers standing behind a metal fence.

Mr Macron was in La Drôme to meet restaurant owners, ahead of Wednesday’s easing of Covid-19 restrictions in France.

“A man indeed tried to hit the President of the Republic,” the Elysee said in a statement to CNN.

“We have no further comments at this point. Exchanges with the crowd and handshakes resumed. The trip continues.”