US President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday said that the world was "a little crazy" as he met President Emmanuel Macron in Paris ahead of the re-opening of Notre Dame cathedral on his first international trip since his re-election.

The two men embraced and shook hands several times on the steps of the French presidential palace, with Trump given a full guard of honour.

"It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now and we will be talking about that," Trump told reporters as he prepared to sit down for talks with Macron.

Despite tensions between the two men during his first term, Trump hailed his ties with the centrist French leader, saying, "We had a great relationship as everyone knows. We accomplished a lot."

Macron told Trump it was "a great honour for French people to welcome you" for the re-opening ceremony at Notre Dame, which was devastated by a blaze in 2019 during Trump's first term.

"You were president at that time and I remember the solidarity and the immediate reaction," Macron added, speaking in English.

When he first took office in 2017, Trump's ties with Macron, then also a fresh face on the world stage, began warmly despite some political differences.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the Elysee Palace soon after and the trio posed for pictures before commencing talks.

They held trilateral talks on topics including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as trade. (AFP)