French president lambasted for being out of touch with the hoi polloi

French politicians, both on the right and on the left, have denounced President Emmanuel Macron for celebrating his 40th birthday at the iconic chateau of King Francois I. 

The president's choice of venue was criticised  by critics as an example of how he is 'cut off from the people'.

The chateau of Chambord is in France's Loire Valley.  With its fairy tale facade, elaborately turreted roofline and vast grounds, Chambord is probably the valley's best-known Renaissance chateau, located about 200 kilometres (125 miles) southwest of Paris.

Macron and his family would stay at one of the cottages on the vast estate, French media said, with a birthday gala to be held Saturday evening in one of the castle's 440 rooms.

Commissioned nearly 500 years ago by King Francois I (1494-1547), the immense chateau remains the largest of the Loire grand estates, boasting 365 chimneys and a 5,500-hectare (21-square mile) estate.

"While the French suffer from taxes, insecurity, immigration, Macron celebrates his 40th birthday at Chambord," right-wing politician Nicolas Dupont-Aignan said on Twitter.

"Eras go by but the oligarchy remains cut off from the people," he said.