A sumptuous dinner for the British King Charles, where lobster was served, cost the cabinet of the French president 475.000 euros, the state audit agency announced.
President Emmanuel Macron went all out when he welcomed the monarch last September - guests were treated to blue lobster, crabs and different cheeses.
But in an annual report on presidential expenses, the state audit house warned that increased spending on state receptions contributed to their budget of 8,3 million euros remaining in the red.
They state that the Elysée Palace now needs to make "significant efforts... to restore and maintain the financial balance of the presidency".
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At that lavish dinner, more than 165.000 euros were spent on food, and another 40.000 euros on drinks.
The guests at the banquet were big stars - British actor Hugh Grant, French football coach Arsen Wenger, as well as Mick Jagger, the singer Rolingstonsa.
They are served with blue lobster and crabs, followed by brese chicken, of protected origin, and mushrooms.
There was also a whole range of cheeses on the menu - including French Conte and British moldy Stichelton cheese.
And for dessert, they were served a rose cookie - a macaron filled with rose petal cream, raspberries and lychees, Asian cherries.
An extravagant banquet in the Palace of Versailles was organized during the three-day state visit of King Charles, which was supposed to strengthen the relations between the two countries.
It was originally scheduled for March, but was postponed after they broke out protests in large French cities over the reform of the pension system.
The king's visit is not the only one mentioned in the report.
The banquet for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Louvre in July 2023, which cost the presidential cabinet 412.000 euros, is also mentioned.
Due to higher costs, including these state admissions, expenditures increased by 14 percent compared to the previous year, the Audit Agency announced.
By comparison, the income earned by the presidency increased by only 6,5 percent.
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