French reporters have occupied the presidential palace for four decades. Macron's advisors have insisted that the room's relocation is not meant to keep the media away, but only to increase the size of the office.
Centre-right president Valery Giscard d'Estaing was the first to open the Elysee press office during his 1974-1981 tenureImage: picture-alliance/abaca/Mousse
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French President Emmanuel Macron's office announced on Wednesday that it planned to close the press room at the Elysee Palace and move it to a different location further down the street. Emmanual Macron proposes new law against fake news
The Elysee press office has had its home at the presidential palace for four decades, where it regularly covers press conferences, foreign leaders' visits and other events.
Macron's advisers rejected claims that moving the journalists to a new location had anything to do with shutting the press out or keeping it at arms' length.
Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux insisted that the move was only taking place for "operational" reasons and communications advisor Sibeth Ndiaye explained that moving the press room down the street was done "in order to make it bigger."
However, an adviser who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter contradicted official statements by saying that the move did aim to end "privileges" for journalists.
The relocation of the Elysee press office is the latest example of Macro's different relationship with the media, in contrast to his predecessor Francois Hollande, who spoke frequently with reporters off-the-record.
Reporters have occupied the press room inside the Elysee since center-right president Valery Giscard d'Estaing first opened its doors to journalists during his 1974-1981 tenure.
He was succeeded by Francois Mitterrand who, in an effort to improve transparency, moved the press office to its current location on the courtyard, which gave journalists a better view of the activities at the presidential office.
Macron's new home
It's time for France's new president to start packing his bags to move to the Elysee Palace. DW takes a look at the luxurious address where Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte will be living.
Image: AFP/Getty Images
Presidential chambers
The Elysee Palace, located in Paris' eighth arrondissement, is truly one of the many crowning pieces of architecture of the French capital. The gates of 55 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore shield the president's palace from the hustle and bustle of the streets of Paris - despite being situated in the heart of the city.
Image: picture-alliance/akg-images/H. Champollion
Dinner with Macron
On the inside, the grand edifice also meets all the standards expected of a presidential palace. The ostentatious dining room is fittingly luxurious, from its massive chandeliers to its brocade curtains. It is accentuated by golden pillars around its edges. Dignataries from around the world have dined here, savoring the best of French cuisine.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/F. Guillot
French cuisine
In fact, the presidential palace is renowned for its haute cuisine. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is rumored to have sent her personal chef there to learn a lesson or two from the French. Being a chef at the Elysee Palace, however, is a hard gig: it is estimated that the kitchen team produces 95,000 meals per year, ranging from sandwiches to state dinners.
Image: picture-alliance/abaca/D. Allard
A piece of cake
One of the many delicacies prepared the Elysee Palace is the "Galette des Rois", which means "king cake" in English. Tradition has it that on Three Kings Day each year, a large cake is made with a little figurine hidden inside it. If the president is the one who finds it in his slice, he gets to be the king of France - but only for one day.
Image: Imago/Xinhua
Born with a silver spoon - or not
A former chef working at the Elysee Palace once told reporters that the silverware and crockery used at the presidential home are so valuable that they're kept under lock and key inside a vault. Nevertheless, those granted a visit with the president apparently often still manage to take a souvenir back home - usually a teaspoon.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/F. Guillot
The property comes with a garden...
We don't know yet whether the Macrons have green thumbs or not, but they will have plenty of space to do some gardening if they want to. The grounds are more like a park, with lots of nooks and crannies for a vegetable patch or a rose garden. Former US first lady Michelle Obama, for instance, apparently rather enjoyed gardening at the White House.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/B. Langlois
More than one room for each day
With 369 rooms and halls in total it's unlikely that there will ever be a scarcity of space at the Elysee Palace. After all, the personal chambers of the president only make up the east wing of the building, leaving plenty of room to play with. Should, however, the president not find things up to scratch, there's a team to make sure that everything is done to his utmost satisfaction.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/F. Guillot
Goodbye yesterday, hello tomorrow
Before Emmanuel Macron can move into the Elysee Palace his predecessor, Francois Hollande, will have to vacate the presidential premises. Saying goodbye to such spectacular views might be difficult, but perhaps the outgoing president will find some comfort in knowing that many have come and gone before him. And one day, it will also be Macron's turn to say "au revoir" to Elysee Palace.
Image: picture-alliance/MAXPPP/L. Vu
The heart of the French Republic
The palace has been home to the French heads of state since 1873. The majority of French presidents have elected to reside in the luxurious premises. For the next five years, Emmanuel Macron will be joining their ranks - and perhaps for even longer. We wish Macron and the First Lady all the best at their new home, and vive la France!
