The former French president, Jacques Chirac, who has been in poor health for several years, was taken to hospital on Monday night.
An ambulance with an escort of police motorcycles carried the 81-year-old from his home to the American Hospital of Paris in the suburb of Neuilly.
He was reportedly suffering from “an acute episode of gout”.
Mr Chirac served as mayor of Paris for more than 20 years and for two terms as prime minister before becoming president in 1995 as the candidate of the Right and continuing in office for 12 years.
He was known for his direct style, which earned him the nickname “The Bulldozer”, and strongly opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He suffered a stroke in 2005 and had surgery to remove kidney stones in December.
A member of Chirac's inner circle said there was no cause for alarm. "There is absolutely no vital emergency. We suspect an acute episode of gout."
Edited by Andrew Marszal
