"It takes flamboyancy to build a brand name, " he says.

FORBES: Sole Survivors

But after five years of Sarkozy's hyperactive presidency, during which time France's economic status has taken a knock, polls suggested voters were keen for a change from the president's flamboyancy.

CNN: Fran?ois Hollande: Left turn for France?

But after five years of Sarkozy's hyperactive premiership, during which time France's economic status has taken a knock, polls suggested voters were keen for a change from the president's flamboyancy.

CNN: How DSK's fall led to Hollande's rise