Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

Catherine Chicate-Moibert from Guadeloupe brings a Caribbean style to the reception.

And so, after nearly four years here as France's first citizen, Ambassador Francis Hurtut demitted office on Friday, and left our shores, for his new assignment in Ghana, West Africa, but not before hosting a simply fabulous Bastille Day celebration last Monday to mark the anniversary of the beginning of the French Revolution that saw the end of the French royal family, and the beginning of the new French republic.

Jamaica was Ambassador Hurtut's maiden assignment in the capacity of ambassador, and coming on the heels of his predecessor, the very popular Ambassador Pierre-Antoine Berniard, there were concerns that he might have been found wanting.

Capable first citizen

Jamaica's State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Dr Ronald Robinson (left) and French Ambassador Francis Hurtut toast to the continued relations between both countries at the French National Day reception.

He did, however, equip himself rather well and by the time his tour of duty was in its home stretch, not only had he proved himself a capable first citizen, he had become like a beacon, not only on the diplomatic scene, but also a star on the social scene, becoming a preferred guest.

And so when news of his impending departure began being whispered along the social boulevards, it was greeted with a sense of sadness, as in his tenure, he had established a reputation as a no-nonsense envoy, who was more interested in furthering the interest of France by enhancing as well as promoting bilateral business ventures and cultural exchanges, in the tradition of his predecessors. And for this, he was truly admired.

His final official reception however, was as expected, a most charming and elegant affair. Luvs, when the French celebrate Bastille Day here, it is a shindig to remember, as successive French ambassadors have made it a truly grand occasion. Dears, we are talking pomp and ceremony, but none of that offensive or crass security screening that others have employed. To be sure, there is a security check, with guests producing their invitations, with VIPs and other notables being waived through.

Now the property that is home to both the French Embassy and official residence is without any doubt, one of the more fabulously appointed estates to be found as it is with rolling lawns, beautiful gardens, cascading trees and plants. All add to the exquisite charm and beauty of the estate, made that much more so each Bastille Day, as the grounds are lit with the French national colours. Expansive light bulbs beam the colours through trees and on to the embassy building itself thus providing a most engaging spectacle. Leading socialites, politicos, the literati and glitterati; the chic and the fab gathered on the front lawns to toast and share the festivities with French nationals and those visiting from the French territories in the Caribbean.

Dears, it was a bittersweet occasion, as it was indeed a celebration of the birth of the French Republic, but it was also the unofficial farewell do for the ambassador. With champagne flowing, and the giant bars strategically placed around the perimeter of the lawns, with a bevy of staff from the Hilton Kingston hotel doing the honours, libations flowed as a fountain and with bons bons and bons mots aplenty, it made for a simply dee-vine do.

Elegant society

The lady who knows all about wine, Marilyn Bennett (left), hangs out with her friends (from second left), Gilbert and Marie-Noelle Adolphe and Karlene Lemaire.

None wanted it to end, so the goodbyes were extended; guests queued at one time to say their personal farewells. Sure there was officialdom that saw Ambassador Hurtut greeting and thanking his guests for their presence and support for France. Deputy Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Dr Ronald Robinson responded in kind on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, and then it was back to soaking up the atmosphere and elegant society in attendance.

Leading the notables out were Prime Minister Bruce Golding; Senate President Dr Oswald Harding; Security Minister Trevor MacMillan and wife, Dr Olivia McDonald; Transport Minister Mike Henry and his fab wife, Dawn; His Worship The Mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie; Director of Protocol Sandra Grant-Griffiths; Cabinet Secretary Ambassador Douglas Saunders; Ambassador Madge Barrett; Ambassador Maxine Roberts; Head of Immigration Joy Charlton; Head of the European Union Delegation Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi-Alemanni; US Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson and husband, Howard; Belgian Ambassador Herman Portocarero and wife, Myriam; Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda.

Also present

Hush little baby, don't you cry. Dominican Republic Amba-ssador Filomena Navarro cradles Taytu Davidson so that the little one's dad could grab a bite at the French National Day reception, held at Hillcrest Avenue on Monday, July 14. - Photos by Winston Sill/freelance Photographer

Also present were Canadian High Commissioner Denis Kingsley; Venezuelan Ambassador Noel Martinez-Ochoa; Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia Ventura Emilio Díaz Mejía; Ambassador of the Dominican Republic Filomena Navarro; Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority Ambassador Satya Nandan; Deputy Chief of Mission, Venezuelan Embassy, Madai Hernández and husband, Marcelo Muñoz; US Embassy Consul General Ed Wehrli and his charmingly fab wife, Rose, and UNICEF's Bertrand Bainvel.

We saw Maurice and Valerie Facey; Earl Levy and wife, Beverly; Chris Bovell and his très elegant wife, Michelle Bovell; Joe Matalon and wife, Bernadette McKinley-Matalon; the oh so elegant Susan Alexander; Marvin and Rosalee Goodman; Yvon Désulmé; Capt Michael Lyn and wife, Thalia; Josef Forstmayr; Lois Lake-Sherwood; Derek Jones; Ian Levy; Patrick and Marguerite Lynch; Rear Admiral Peter Brady and wife, Carol; Frank Rosheuvel; Nicola Crosswell-Mair; Professor Dr Carolyn Cooper; Professor Barry Chevannes; Evon and Betsy Williams and their daughter, Enola; Horace and Josephine Bogues; Andrea Bickhoff-Benjamin and the charming Marilyn Bennett.

French Ambassador Francis Hurtut (left) welcomes Prime Minister Bruce Golding to his National Day reception, held at Hillcrest Avenue.