In a presidential statement, Hollande passed on his "deepest condolences to the Venezuelan people," after Chavez succumbed to cancer in Caracas on Tuesday.

"At the head of his nation since 1999," the Venezuelan president "has profoundly marked his country's history," Hollande said.

"The late president expressed, while his temperament and the positions he took were not shared by everyone, an undeniable wish to fight for justice and development," the statement continued.

"I am sure that Venezuela will overcome this test of its democracy and stability," Hollande concluded.

The death of the Venezuelan leader on Tuesday was naturally the top story on almost all French media websites, with numerous articles dedicated to the firebrand leader.

Right leaning Le Figaro's leading article was titled "Chavez – the end of a provocateur". Left leaning Liberation, on the other hand, leads with the tributes paid to the fallen leader, who finally lost his battle against cancer, from across Latin America and indeed the French president. " 'An irreplaceable' loss to Latin America" reads the headline.

Europe1 radio, like many media sites discusses Chavez's legacy to the world with its leading article titled "Who was Chavez: A liberator or despot?".