President Francois Hollande's partner emerged from a week's stay in hospital Saturday as the French leader faced calls to clear up his personal life after his affair with an actress was made public.
De facto First Lady Valerie Trierweiler left the Paris hospital where she was admitted on January 10 suffering from nervous exhaustion and low blood pressure for a presidential residence in Versailles, a source in her office told AFP.
In her first public comments since the scandal over Hollande's affair broke, Trierweiler tweeted her thanks to her supporters.
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all those who sent messages of support ... very touched," she wrote, using her personal and not her official Twitter account.
Concern had been mounting for Trierweiler, 48, after she fell ill following the revelation that Hollande, 59, had been having an affair with 41-year-old actress Julie Gayet.
Paris Match magazine said Friday that her family was "worried" after her 16-year-old son Leonard was unable to visit and she did not take calls.
But on Saturday he tweeted, "finally with my mother! I am happy to be back with her".
Hollande, who did not visit Trierweiler in hospital until Thursday and has dodged questions regarding the couple's future, was on Saturday on a visit to his political stronghold of Correze in central France.
In a speech in the town of Tulle he again did not comment on the revelations, focusing instead on local issues.
But even long-time allies were saying the president needs to deal with the scandal.
"France's political situation requires all of the president's attention and all of his time, so obviously it would be best for everyone if he can resolve the problems in his personal life under good conditions," said Tulle Mayor Bernard Combes, a member of Hollande's Socialist Party.
At restaurant La Taverne du Sommelier, where Hollande has a permanent table, owner Cecile At said the president needed to put the scandal behind him.
"Francois Hollande is a very friendly man but Madame (Trierweiler) kept her distance, she did not seek people out," At said.
"The time has come for our president to make decisions on his personal life and for the debate to be closed - that there be no more rumours or photos."
Hollande has said he will clarify his relationship with Trierweiler before a trip to Washington next month but has refused any further comment on a scandal that has generated global headlines.
In his first trip outside Paris since the scandal broke, Hollande focused mainly on rural issues, saying he opposed calls to do away with some local administrations.
There was rare media interest for the trip to regional France, with dozens of French and foreign reporters descending on the small community for Hollande's speech.
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