The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, was slapped on the face by a man in a crowd of onlookers while on a visit in the south of France. 

The incident occured on Tuesday while Mr Macron was on a visit to the Drome region in southeastern France, where he discussed with business owners and students about how life is returning to normal post COVID-19 pandemic.

In a video circulating on social media, Macron, dressed in a shirt, was seen walking towards a gathering of people who were behind a metal barrier. The French president reached out to greet a man dressed in a green T-Shirt, with glasses and a face mask.

The man could be heard shouting out “Down with Macron,” before striking Mr Macron’s face.

Macron’s security entourage quickly intervened to pull the man to the ground and move the French leader away from him. 

Two people were arrested in connection with the incident, France 24 reports. 
While the administration has acknowledged the incident, describing it as an attempt to strike Mr Macron, there are no further comments.