She's the singing sensation who arrived like a bolt of lightning in France's presidential palace.

Since her whirlwind courtship and marriage to Nicolas Sarkozy, former top model Carla Bruni has dominated headlines.

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And her colourful past and free-spirited demeanour brought fresh interest to politics.

As the country bids au revoir to her husband – who lost out in the elections to Francois Hollande – we look at that the time of the 'super'-turned-guitar strumming troubadour who gave the Elysee Palace an air of unparalleled glamour and drama.