Nicolas Sarkozy looks carefree while relaxing with his model wife Carla Bruni in the Côte d’Azur

Carla appeared to wonder down to the seafront in a white robe, before stripping off for a dip in the sea on the sunny day. In addition to the former president, 13 other people are on trial, including members of his conservative Republicans party, accountants and heads of the communication group in charge of organising the rallies, named Bygmalion.