Elon Musk tells Emmanuel Macron he had to to 'sleep in the car' before their meeting - hours after he was seen partying

Elon Musk has been heard telling French President Emmanuel Macron that he had to "sleep in the car" before their meeting in Paris - hours after the billionaire was seen partying in Mexico and Los Angeles.

The Tesla chief executive met Mr Macron at the Elysee Palace on Monday as part of the French president's efforts to attract more investment to his country.

In the footage of their encounter, Mr Musk is heard saying "I had to sleep in the car" to the French leader as they sit together.

Mr Macron replies quickly: "Okay."

Mr Musk then laughs awkwardly before raising his hand and saying to the gathered media: "Hello everyone."

The tech billionaire usually dresses in jeans and a T-shirt but was wearing a suit for his 45-minute meeting with the French leader.

However, he appeared to be unshaven.

Mr Musk had been seen clubbing in the luxury resort of Cabo San Lucas in Mexico hours earlier as he attended a dance music festival.

The 51-year-old was also pictured at a trance music event hosted by Bosnian-German DJ Solomun in LA's Exposition Park on Saturday night.

In Paris on Monday, Mr Musk said he was confident Tesla would make "significant investments" in France in the future, without giving a timetable.

"No announcement today but I am very impressed with President Macron and the French government and how welcoming they are," he told reporters.

The French president said in a tweet: "We talked about the attractiveness of France and the significant progress in the electric vehicle and energy sectors. We also talked about digital regulation. We have so much to do together."

Mr Macron's meeting with Mr Musk will be viewed as a success for the president.

The French leader has endured a dip in popularity since forcing through plans to raise France's retirement age.

The policy sparked protests and strikes.

-sky news