France marvelled at the American president's attempts at normal family life during the Parisian mini-break, even if White House tasters tried his roast lamb to check it was safe and French police sealed off whole squares for the presidential motorcade.

After a diplomatic tour including a major speech in Cairo and the Normandy D-day commemorations, Obama joined his daughters, Malia and Sasha, on their first international trip since the presidency as Sasha celebrated her eighth birthday. They visited Notre Dame, closed to the public for the occasion, where they lit candles and climbed hundreds of steps to admire the view.

On Saturday night, the president, his wife and one of their daughters were joined by two friends at a traditional Left Bank bistro.

At the moderately priced La Fontaine de Mars, the Obamas ordered lamb and beef with desserts of creme brulue and ile flottante.

On Sunday morning, the Obamas visited the Pompidou Centre, the modern art museum, before it opened to the public, then the president flew back to Washington while the rest of his family arrived at the Elysee for lunch with Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni.

Sarkozy's youngest son Louis, 11, flew in from Dubai where he lives with his mother and her new husband. Also present were Bruni's son, Aurelien, 8, and the presidential wives' mothers.