1. Nicolas Sarkozy welcomes his successor Francois Hollande upon his arrival at the Elysee Palace for the formal handover ceremony.

2. The high-heeled shoes belonging to Nicolas Sarkozy are seen as he welcomes Francois Hollande to the Elysee Palace in Paris

3. Valerie Trierweiler, companion of France’s newly-elected President Francois Hollande, arrives on the red carpet in the courtyard of the Elysee Palace

4. France’s outgoing First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy welcomes Valerie Trierweiler, companion of France’s newly-elected President Francois Hollande, on the steps of the Elysee Palace

5. Nicolas Sarkozy salutes his successor as Carla Bruni kisses Valerie Trierweiler, companion of the French President-elect

6. Guests arrive at the Elysee Palace for the handover ceremony

7. France’s newly-elected President Francois Hollande and his companion Valerie Trierweiler watch outgoing President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy leaving the Elysee Palace

8. Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy leave the Elysee Palace after the handover ceremony

9. Outgoing French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy leave the Elysee Palace after the handover ceremony

10. Carla Bruni-Sarkozy waves as she leaves the Elysee Palace with outgoing President Nicolas Sarkozy