French president Francois Hollande splits with Valerie Trierweiler after affair

French leader Francois Hollande began a new chapter in his presidency yesterday after splitting from his partner of eight years following an affair with a younger actress.

Under intense media scrutiny since the revelation of the affair two weeks ago, Hollande - who had promised a "normal" presidency after the turbulent stint of his "bling bling" predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy - formally announced his split from Valerie Trierweiler on Saturday.

Saying he was speaking as a private individual, Hollande, in a statement to AFP over the phone, said: "I wish to make it known that I have ended my partnership with Valerie Trierweiler."

"A Bachelor at the Elysee," said the weekly, calling her departure as first lady "the end of an epoch".

Trierweiler, 48, had been convalescing at a presidential residence in Versailles outside Paris after leaving hospital a week earlier, where she was treated for what was described as fatigue brought on by press revelations of Hollande's affair with 41-year-old actress Julie Gayet.

According to media reports, Trierweiler had been ready to forgive Hollande, but the president wanted to pull the plug.

Trierweiler left for Mumbai yesterday on a charity trip in her first public appearance since the scandal broke. Her entourage said she was accompanied by a presidential bodyguard. A friend who is accompanying Trierweiler, Charlotte Valandrey, said the former first lady was "strong", "feeling better" and was "delighted" to be going on the trip.