Early reports spoke of a vasovagal syncope, which is the most common type of fainting, while a spokesman for Sarkozy's UMP party said he had suffered a 'cardiac accident'. Finally, the collapse was defined by doctors as a consequence of exhaustion.

Like most other French residents, Sarkozy will spend the next three weeks on holiday. He will be staying at the mansion belonging to the family of his wife, singer Carla Bruni, in Cap Negre on the western Riviera.