Macron revives tradition of the French cheek-kiss as fear of Covid recedes

Emmanuel Macron gives the traditional cheek embrace to Second World War veteran Leon Gautier (Michel Euler/AP)

The double-cheeked embrace that was a customary greeting in France before the coronavirus pandemic saw it largely abandoned as a potential kiss of death is back with a presidential seal of approval.

French President Emmanuel Macron made the return of “la bise” all but official on Friday by giving warm cheek-to-cheek embraces to two Second World War veterans at an award ceremony.