Paris ? President Jacques Chirac emerged from hospital Friday, declaring himself in fine shape but walking with a slight hesitation and saying nothing about the illness that kept him there a week.

The 72-year-old leader said doctors advised him to limit his activities for another week and he canceled plans to attend next week’s U.N. summit in New York. France instead will send Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, the former foreign minister whose February 2003 speech against the invasion of Iraq put him in the world spotlight.

Chirac, a mainstay on the French political scene for more than four decades, was hospitalized Sept. 2 after suffering a “small vascular accident” that impaired vision in one eye, medical officials said without ever fully elaborating.

The illness followed a difficult year politically for Chirac, whose popularity has dropped to record lows and who suffered the humiliation of a French rejection in a May 29 referendum of a proposed constitution for Europe.

Aside from the canceled trip to New York, it was not immediately clear to what extent Chirac’s schedule might otherwise be trimmed.

On leaving Val de Grace military hospital, Chirac told reporters he was advised to limit his activities for the next week.

The hospital, however, provided a different version of its advice, saying it had recommended as much rest as possible in the next two weeks and that Chirac avoid air travel for six weeks. Otherwise, Chirac’s health was “very satisfying,” a statement said.

Chirac, however, insisted that he felt fine.

He did not give details of his medical condition – despite criticism that the hospital and his government had provided incomplete information, fueling questions and rumors.

Medical experts not involved in Chirac’s treatment suggested a range of possible problems, from minor – a ruptured blood vessel in a retina – to more serious – a stroke.