Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

With her first name spelled out across their backs, Monique Foulard rubs shoulders with Saint International models at the farewell dinner for her husband, Jean-Noel Foulard of Bouygues-Travaux, held at the French Embassy, Hillcrest Avenue, on Friday, April 18. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Having built one of the most anticipated (and toughest) roads in Jamaican history, Jean-Noel Foulard is riding off into the sunset.

Foulard, the project manager of Bouygues Travaux, the builders of Highway 2000, and his wife Monique were the guests of honour at a farewell reception last Friday night, hosted by French Ambassador Francis Hurtut.

Foulards lauded

Ambassador Hurtut lauded the Foulards for their respective qualities; Jean-Noel for his bluntness and Monique for being "the engine that drives the locomotive", that is, their relationship. Former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson lauded Mr Foulard not only for a great job with the highway, but also for pitching in, without hesitation, in times of natural disaster. He opined that Foulard had earned the right to be considered an honorary Jamaican.

Entertainment

The farewell had much entertainment, both in music and fashion. Seven-year-old Ellinor D'Melon was a hit with her violin and the Saint International models, sauntering around the pool in designs from Les Campbell, Neah Lis and Phillip Reid, drew the aahs.

Guests included: Canadian High Commissioner Denis Kingsley and wife Jo Ann; Kingsley Thomas; Gilou Bauer; Peter Rae; Eleanor Jones; William Lampert and Anna Kaiser; Drs Dhiru and Laura Tanna; Pierre Lemaire, wife Karlene and son Adrien; and Ed and Rose Wehrli.

Seven-year-old Ellinor D'Melon steals the hearts of the audience with her double offering.

French Ambassador Francis Hurtut (left) is obviously enjoying the banter with Chris and Michelle Bovell.

Double the beauty! Zakiya Loftus (left) of Digicel spends a Friday night out with friend Marcellas James of Cinderella Hats.

The ever-popular P.J. Patterson (second left), former prime minister of Jamaica, is always one for a good tale. He tells another one to (from left) opposition members Lisa Hanna and Robert Pickersgill, and head of the European Union delegation Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi-Alemanni.

We're curious as to what Wayne Reid is saying to Jean-Noel Foulard.