Can you guess why this scooter is worth 25,000 euros?

The scooter used by François Hollande to deliver croissants to Julie Gayet was sold at auction for a record price.

On January 10, 2014, France discovered on the front page of the tabloid press a man on a scooter, helmet on his head and a small bag of croissants in hand, making a morning visit to the heart of his beloved in an apartment on Rue du Cirque. Nothing particularly exceptional, as this commonplace scene can be observed throughout France. Croissants, slippers, and little ladies may not necessarily represent the essence of France, but they are definitely social markers of the nation!

A tabloid star

So why did this photo make such a stir? Simply because the scooter rider was none other than the head of state, the sitting President of the Republic François Hollande, residing at the Élysée with his partner at the time, and his secret lover was the famous actress Julie Gayet. The latter has since become his legitimate wife, and the scooter, after its extensive service to the state, has entered private ownership.

An affectionate trio thus resting on the famous tri-wheel scooter, a Piaggio MP3 125cc. The scooter was decommissioned by the state services in 2016, before being purchased by a couple from Vendôme to celebrate their golden anniversary. It was auctioned off this weekend for €20,500 by the Rouillac auction house during their sale on May 26. With the auction fees, a total of €25,420 was ultimately spent by the buyer, a collector of exceptional vehicles. Not bad when you consider that the current range starts at €7,099!

The final word must go to the man in the helmet, who authenticated the precious scooter by dedicating his book “Disruptions” to its new owners: “To Patrick and Manola, who had the chance to ride my scooter to better share their happiness! ”

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