Two people were arrested after French President Emmanuel Macron was slapped by a man during a walkabout session with a crowd in southeastern France.

The incident took place while Macron was on a visit to the Drome region in south-eastern France, where he met restaurateurs and students to talk about how life is returning to normal after the COVID-19 epidemic.

A video that surfaced on social media shows a man in a green T-Shirt, with glasses and a face mask, shout out "Down with Macronia" and then deliver a slap to President’s face.

Macron's security staff quickly interfered to pull the man to the ground and move Macron away from him.

The presidential administration said there had been an attempt to strike Macron, but declined further comment.