MESNIL-LIEUBRAY: President Asif Ali Zardari visited his family’s stately home in the French countryside on Tuesday.
A French Air Force helicopter deposited Zardari in the grounds of the Manoir de la Reine Blanche (Manor of the White Queen) for a two-hour stopover in the 16th-century chateau, built for the widow of King Philippe VI.
Journalists were kept at a distance from the elegant property, which is surrounded by five acres of lakes and wooded parkland and is listed on France’s register of historically significant monuments.
The house has belonged to Zardari’s family for 24 years and the president’s father, Hakim Ali Zardari, is a regular summer visitor.
“He’s a neighbour with whom we have excellent relations,” said local mayor Jerome Grisel, who owns a farm immediately adjoining the estate.
AFP reported that the old French country manor is owned by President Zardari’s late wife Benazir Bhutto’s family.
The 16th century manor is located in the hamlet of Mesnil-Lieubray, near the city of Rouen in Normandy, northern France, the mayor of the local commune, Jerome Grisel, told AFP on Monday.
“The chateau is owned by the family of Zardari’s late wife Benazir Bhutto, the former Pakistani prime minister.”
Story link: http://www.expatica.com/fr/news/french-news/pakistan-president-to-visit-his-french-manor-officials_87433.html
