The wives of G7 world leaders enjoyed the best french wine, peppers, and traditional dances while their husbands were at the tense summit

Ellen Cranley,Ellen Cranley

Aug 25, 2019, 23:06 IST

The wives of G7 world leaders enjoyed the best french wine, peppers, and traditional dances while their husbands were at the tense summit

World leaders gathered in southwest France for the G-7 Summit over the weekend, where they were slated for several closely watched meetings to examine major global issues.
European Council President Donald Tusk declared this year's summit was "a difficult test of the unity and solidarity of the free world and its leaders," as countries faced issues including impending trade wars and global climate concerns.
Despite the tensions, the leaders' spouses put on a relaxed display while touring a nearby village, where they enjoyed a stunning villa, wine tasting, and traditional performances.
Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

World leaders gathered in Biarritz, France for the G-7 Summit over the weekend to confront an array of global issues.

The annual summit is taking place this year amid an escalating trade war between the US and China, Britain's planned exit from the European Union, and fires that have devastated the Amazon rainforest in Brazil.

Despite the tensions surrounding the summit, first lady Melania Trump, French first lady Brigitte Macron, and other world leaders' wives put on a relaxed and united display during a tour of the Basque region, enjoying wine, lunch, and traditional performances.

The first ladies traveled to the village of Epselette, which is situated in the Basque region in the southwest of the country.

The spouses then had lunch at the Villa Arnaga, built by Edmond Rostand, the French playwright who wrote Cyrano de Bergerac.

Macron, Trump, and Tusk were in the front row for a performance by traditional Basque dancers in the villa's garden.

Trump and Macron were side-by-side throughout the day, which marked their latest friendly appearance one year after Macron called Trump "really fun."

The group also attended a traditional song performance in the stunning Saint-Etienne church, not far from the villa.

The spouses took to a field trip to see the region's famous "Piment d'Espelette," which are dried red peppers.

The peppers were used in the G7 dinner held for leaders in nearby Biarritz the night before.

Espelette Mayor Jean-Marie Iputcha led the women on a tour through the village and they ducked into nearby shops and bakeries.

The spouses made a stop to enjoy some French wine.

In true French fashion, a wine expert sporting a beret led the women through a wine tasting.

Next Story Trump's company could save millions if interest rates fall like he wants