The photograph of Francois Hollande will be displayed in 36,000 town halls across the country and in every school.

Hollande’s photograph was taken in the grounds of his official residence, the Elysée Palace, by photographer Raymond Depardon.

The outdoor scene was in stark contrast to the official portrait of his predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy, who was photographed in his library standing beside the French and European flags.

Some of the spoof portraits of Hollande likened his pose to an advertising campaign for clothing store chain The Kooples. 

Others featured uninvited participants, such as Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany driving a car towards him or former president Jacques Chirac peeping over his shoulder.

In one, Nicolas Sarkozy is seen jogging towards him across the Elysée’s lawns.

Spoofs of the photo can be seen on Twitter under the hashtag #Hollande. This gallery on the RTL website pulls some of the best together.

The official portrait is always an important moment for a new president. Jacques Chirac was the first president to be photographed outdoors, also in the garden of the Elysée.

Although they come from different parties, both Chirac and Hollande have their political roots in France’s Corrèze region and are known to enjoy good relations.

Chirac even told journalists in June 2011 that he would be voting for Francois Hollande.