VERSAILLES, France — French President Emmanuel Macron hosted U.S. President Donald Trump at the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday following the Group of Seven summit in Évian-les-Bains, a high-profile diplomatic event that drew mixed reactions across France's political spectrum.
Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, welcomed Trump at the former royal residence outside Paris as part of celebrations linked to the 250th anniversary of American independence and broader efforts to maintain close ties between France and the United States, according to the French presidency. Trump attended a private dinner at the palace after the conclusion of the G7 summit.
Speaking before the event, Trump praised the venue, saying, “Versailles is not gold leaf. Versailles is the real deal,” and described it as “maybe the most beautiful of all” palaces. French officials said the gathering was intended to highlight the historic relationship between the two countries and provide an opportunity for bilateral discussions following meetings at the G7 summit.
The dinner formed part of Macron’s long-standing practice of using Versailles as a setting for major diplomatic engagements. During his presidency, Macron has hosted several foreign leaders at the palace, presenting the site as a symbol of French history and influence. French officials said the venue was chosen both for its historical significance and its association with Franco-American relations.
The visit, however, prompted criticism from some opposition politicians in France. Members of the left-wing opposition accused Macron of offering excessive ceremonial treatment to Trump at a time when political disagreements remain on issues including trade, international security and climate policy. Critics argued that the event risked appearing overly accommodating toward the U.S. president.
Macron rejected those criticisms earlier in the week, saying the gathering was not a gala dinner but a diplomatic occasion marking a shared chapter in French and American history. “It’s a dinner to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, because France played a role in it,” he told reporters, according to French media accounts.
The Versailles meeting followed several days of discussions among G7 leaders on international security, trade and emerging technologies. It also came as France sought to preserve dialogue with Washington on issues including Ukraine and developments in the Middle East.
As of Friday, French officials said no major bilateral agreements had been announced from the dinner itself. The Élysée Palace described the event as part of ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two governments, while political debate over Macron’s decision to host Trump at Versailles continued in France.
