Macron appears entranced by Saudi Crown Prince during agreement exchange at Elysee Palace

It came as the Saudi leader wrapped up a two-day visit to France.

Footage shows Mohammed bin Salman being received by Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu at the Hotel des Invalides, where he attended a military welcome ceremony, before travelling to the Elysee Palace for talks with Macron and the exchange of documents.

The agreements covered cooperation in areas including health, transport and energy, as Paris and Riyadh push ahead with closer economic and strategic ties. The two leaders also convened the inaugural session of the Saudi-French Strategic Partnership Council, established following Macron's state visit to Saudi Arabia in December 2024.

Talks reportedly focused on bilateral trade and investment, energy security and regional developments, including in Iran, Palestine, Syria and Lebanon. Energy routes bypassing the Strait of Hormuz were also expected to feature, following disruption to shipping through the key Gulf waterway.

The Crown Prince arrived in Paris on Sunday and joined Macron at the closing ceremony of the E-Sports World Cup at the Grand Palais. The trip marked his third visit to France, following trips in 2022 and 2023.

France and Saudi Arabia have deepened ties in recent years, with cooperation spanning energy, defence, investment and culture. Macron visited Saudi Arabia in December 2024, when the two countries agreed to strengthen their strategic partnership.