President Hollande is bracing himself for further embarrassment after learning that his jilted partner will publish a book tomorrow about her time as first lady.
Valérie Trierweiler, 49, a journalist, is said not to have spared her former partner in Merci Pour Ce Moment (Thank You For This Moment).
Mr Hollande’s aides are said to fear revelations that could inflict further damage to the battered reputation of the French head of state.
Paris Match, the magazine for which Ms Trierweiler works as a literary critic, is to publish extracts of the book today. It describes the work as “both a cry of love and a slow descent into Hell — a dip into the privacy of a couple... Valérie and François”.
The magazine says the book reveals “the story of their passion”. On the front cover of the book, Ms Trierweiler says: “Everything I have written is true. And I have suffered too much from lies to lie in turn.”
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The timing could hardly be worse. The Socialist leader is struggling to cope with record unemployment, a stagnating economy and the implosion of his cabinet after a revolt by left-wing ministers last month.
He announced his separation from Ms Trierweiler in January after the disclosure that he was having an affair with the actress Julie Gayet, 42. Ms Trierweiler was so distressed that she was admitted to hospital.
Mr Hollande is believed to have promised her a generous financial settlement and kept in regular touch with her, raising hopes among his aides that she would not exact revenge.
Ms Trierweiler has said publicly that she remains a Socialist supporter and would not wish to harm France’s second elected left-wing president.