^Well, the First Lady in France is not the US one. I mean, Michelle Obama goes everywhere ( so we have a lot of pictures ) : to schools, lakers game, she visits the Justice Department ... We see her doing the White House garden, receiving cookers at the White House, goes to all events concerning women ( I mean, seriously ? ) When the US president does something, she's here and that is really different in France. And there are lots of events in the White House ( concerts and all ), when it's not really the case here.
We only see her when there are dinners at the Elysee, when she does philantropic works : Born HIV Free Campaign, her helping the UNAIDS, her support of the Global Funds campaign or when she helps culture : she fights against illiteracy, or she supports the idea of Philosophy for young children. And for example, when she was in America, i think she went to a school to launch an artistic program. We also saw her helping in Italy after the Aquila earthquake. She doesn't follow her husband to all the diplomatic events.
The French first lady is more "independent" than the US one.