French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla spent 'a day and a half' in a 'private residence' in the sea resort of Manzanillo at the invitation of Mexican Felipe Calderon, before embarking on their state visit to Mexico on Monday, the Elysee has confirmed.
   
"President Sarkozy and his wife were guests of the Mexican President", presidential aides added, explaining that this was the reason why they didn't pay bills.

The French first couple reportedly arrived on Friday early in the afternoon and left on Sunday morning. Asked who the owner of the residence was, the Elysee said to ask "Mexican authorities."

French news radio RTL indicated that the villa belonged to Roberto Henandez, a business man and close friend of the Mexican president.

The Elysee also denied the existence of a bill for the stay, saying that the presidential couple were there "at Calderon's invitation."