PARIS (AP) — France's President Francois Hollande has headed off on vacation this year by train — not plane — in a break with his flashy predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy. Frugally-minded Hollande, who promised during spring's presidential campaign to save money by catching trains, took high-speed rail on Thursday from Paris with his girlfriend, Valerie Trierweiler. They're headed for the Fort de Bregancon, an official retreat in southeastern France. They travelled first class. But it's a stark contrast from the unpopular Sarkozy, who was criticized for vacationing using a Dassault Falcon 7X jet and an Airbus dubbed "Air Sarko One." Hollande has carefully cultivated a "Mr. Normal" image. He says traveling by train is an important symbol at a time when "many French want to go on vacation...and can't."
French pres takes train, not plane, on vacation
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French President Francois Hollande arrives with his companion Valerie Trierweiler at the Gare de Lyon railway station in Paris, Thursday Aug. 2, 2012, to board a train bound for the French Riviera. Francois Hollande and Valerie Trierweiler will spend their summer holidays at the Fort de Bregancon state owned residence, located at Bormes-les-Mimosas.(AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
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French President Francois Hollande arrives with his companion Valerie Trierweiler at the Gare de Lyon railway station in Paris, Thursday Aug. 2, 2012, to board a train bound for the French Riviera. Francois Hollande and Valerie Trierweiler will spend their summer holidays at the Fort de Bregancon state owned residence, located at Bormes-les-Mimosas. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
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French President Francois Hollande arrives with his companion Valerie Trierweiler at the Gare de Lyon railway station in Paris, Thursday Aug. 2, 2012, to board a train bound for the French Riviera. Francois Hollande and Valerie Trierweiler will spend their summer holidays at the Fort de Bregancon state owned residence, located at Bormes-les-Mimosas. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
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French President Francois Hollande waves with his companion Valerie Trierweiler, unseen, at the Gare de Lyon railway station in Paris, Thursday Aug. 2, 2012, to board a train bound for the French Riviera. Francois Hollande and Valerie Trierweiler will spend their summer holidays at the Fort de Bregancon state owned residence, located at Bormes-les-Mimosas. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
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