Obama Tries His Hand at French in Welcoming President Hollande to the White House

‘Bonjour. That’s the extent of my French’

Affairs -- foreign and otherwise -- surround Francois Hollande's state visit (CNN)

When French President Francois Hollande flew to Washington this week for a state visit, he brought along a lot of baggage -- and it's not his country's famous Louis Vuitton.

Hollande left France amid sinking popularity ratings and swirling reports that he cheated on his partner of seven years with a younger movie actress — making this week's trip something of an escape for the embattled president.

The former French first lady Valerie Trierweiler -- whom Obama said in November he was looking forward to hosting -- isn't coming to the White House now that Hollande has announced their split.

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