Nicolas Sarkozy, who was released yesterday Monday (10/11), used his first day of freedom to return to a normal life.
After 20 days of imprisonment at La Santé prison, the French former president who was sentenced to five years in prison for “criminal conspiracy” in the Libya financing case, had lunch at a well-known restaurant in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. He was accompanied by his wife, Carla Bruni, who supported him throughout his imprisonment. As they left the restaurant, the couple was applauded by the gathered crowd, with 70-year-old Sarkozy thanking them while Carla Bruni hid her face. They then got into their car and headed home.
Read: Sarkozy: His first reaction after release – “I will prepare for the appeal, truth will prevail”
After the Court of Appeal accepted his request for release, he stated: “It was difficult, very difficult, as it is for every prisoner; I would even say exhausting.”
According to Paris Match, on Tuesday morning, he did his usual workout near his home and then went for a meal with his wife and family members. It’s worth noting that although he was invited, as every year, to the November 11th ceremonies by the President of the Republic, he chose not to attend.
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🇫🇷🍽️ Nicolas Sarkozy aperçu dans un restaurant parisien, au lendemain de sa libération. (Paris Match) https://t.co/gSjaN2sCov pic.twitter.com/cofdjEzwew
— Impact (@ImpactMediaFR) November 11, 2025
🚨 🇫🇷 FLASH : De nombreuses personnes APPLAUDISSENT Nicolas Sarkozy et Carla Bruni en sortant du restaurant Le Flandrin à Paris ! (ParisMatch) pic.twitter.com/OLObSgyjop
— Wolf 🐺 (@PsyGuy007) November 11, 2025
As the French media reports, now under judicial supervision, Nicolas Sarkozy plans to return to his professional activities. Every morning he will go to his offices on Miromesnil Avenue, where he will receive dignitaries, prepare his appeal –which is scheduled for spring– and respond to his correspondence. During his detention, he received thousands of letters of support. “No letter will go unanswered. The end of this story has not yet been written…” his entourage stated.
His afternoons will be dedicated to his family and writing his new book. “I already have the title in mind,” he had said on the eve of his imprisonment. “I don’t know the rest yet. I can only tell you it won’t be a novel.”
His close circle stood by him during his detention. Specifically, Carla Bruni visited him regularly and posted supportive messages on social media– while now she will have the opportunity to meet the newest family member: his grandson, Sylla, who was born while he was in prison.
