Donald Trump told France’s former president Francois Hollande that loved he French people and French wine in their first official phone call, a new book has claimed. The new US president then asked for advice in picking his staff.

“Mr President, I am delighted to talk to you," Mr Trump told his counterpart, according to Gaspard Gantze, a former adviser to Mr Hollande. "You are a great president, a great leader, a great man. It is such an honour.”

The official call which came five days after Mr Trump's shock presidential victory on 9 November 2016, is documented in Mr Gantze's book La politique est un sport de combat.

Mr Trump then added: “I love France, I love French people, I love your country, I love Paris, I love your wine, I love…”

The former French president then cut him off.

Mr Gantzer claimed it was “clear” Mr Trump was mocking the French administration and taking them for “idiots”.

Mr Hollande responded by discussing the issues the countries should work together on, including the Paris Climate Agreement.

Later in the call, Mr Trump attempted to elicit Mr Hollande’s help in picking his new staff, the book claims.

“You know my country," he said. "You know many good Americans. And you are one of the greatest leaders in the world. So, let me ask you a question: could you help me with the recruiting of my new staff?”

After the phone call ended, Mr Hollande’s staff were left shocked at the conversation, Mr Gantzer said.

Mr Trump has subsequently withdrawn the US from the Paris Climate Agreement, meaning the US is now the only country in the world not to support the deal.

Despite Mr Trump’s reported declaration of love for Paris, he later insinuated the capital was not a safe destination for US tourists in a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference.