It was pointed out that a year of debate went into the decision to paint the red line, which will eventually snake across Berlin for 20 kilometres (12 miles).
On the day of Hollande's inauguration in mid-May, Merkel treated him to a feast of veal schnitzel and asparagus in Berlin, washed down with a fine red French wine.
Berlin shares a similar economic approach to London, but Chancellor Angela Merkel's red line is that she will not accept Britain blocking measures that are seen as essential to saving the euro.