François Hollande's famous scooter put up for auction at the end of May: “All French people know what François Hollande did with this scooter”, laughs its owner

Le scooter de l'ancien président François Hollande fait encore parler de lui. MAXPPP – EMMA DELORT

Sa cote sur le marché de l'occasion n'est pourtant que d'environ 1 300 euros. Mais l'histoire de ce scooter dans l'imaginaire des Français pourrait faire grimper les enchères. 

The most famous scooter of the Fifth Republic, which President François Hollande used to visit Julie Gayet on the sly, will be sold at auction on May 26 at the Château d'Artigny (Indre-et-Loire), a- we learned from the auctioneer on Friday.

34000 km on the odometer

The Piaggio, "two front wheels and one rear wheel", a 125 cm3 which already has 34,000 km on it counter, "is the Rolls of scooters", judges auctioneer Philippe Rouillac. The price for this three-wheeler, formerly owned by the Elysée Palace which sold it in 2015, is set at 10,000 euros, he specifies, confirming press information.

The registration document indicates the Elysée as owner

Its price on the second-hand market is however only around 1,300 euros, according to specialized sites."The scooter was not personal to the President of the Republic, the registration document indicates the Elysée as owner", adds Mr. Rouillac .

The last owners, Patrick and Manola, bought it to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary, recalls the auctioneer. But the latter being now “old, move with difficulty and as the scooter weighs 200 kg, there is no longer any point in keeping it, continues M. Rouillac.

Contacted by the international press

While waiting for the big day, it is clear that "the sale arouses surprise, curiosity and interest", laughs Philippe Rouillac."All French people know what François Hollande did with this scooter", he adds, in an allusion to stolen press photos published in 2014, which showed the president of the time paying a discreet visit to his new partner who has since become his wife, Julie Gayet.

An auction has surprises in both directions

"This story amused the French and continues to amuse them", thinks Mr. Rouillac, contacted by "the international press" for a few hours. If several potential buyers have already solicited this property, it is impossible to know at what price the scooter could be sold: "An auction has surprises in both directions , we'll see how things go".

Remains that on the same day, will also be sold "the replica of the coronation throne of his imperial majesty Jean-Bedel Bokassa", specifies Mr. Rouillac. The throne "made of mahogany gilded with gold leaf" is "3 meters high, 4 meters wide and represents an eagle", he adds, and its "price is also set at 10,000 euros". Jean-Bedel Bokassa, second president of the Central African Republic, proclaimed himself emperor of the Central African Republic in 1976.