Alexander Chancellor

Forget the sex scandal. Why does Francois Hollande have only one pair of shoes? 

The French like dash and elegance in their leaders — they don't mind the mistress as much as the moped

Are these the only pair of shoes owned by French president Francois Hollande? Photo: AFP/Getty 
issue 18 January 2014

Of all the interesting revelations by the French magazine Closer about François Hollande, the most interesting for me is its claim that he owns only one pair of shoes. I don’t think I know anybody with only one pair of shoes. Even my brother John, who at the age of 86 has rather let himself go sartorially-speaking, possesses two pairs.

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