Representing the U.S. as a diplomat in Paris

From 2001 to 2005, Howard Leach, appointed ambassador to France by President George W. Bush, served in Paris, alongside his wife, Gretchen

Leach. The two were pillars of San Francisco society, not career diplomats, but recognized as generous donors to the Bush campaign.

Because she had so many friends here, Gretchen Leach decided to keep them informed by writing a series of letters widely distributed to her friends. Those are the main contents of a book (published by Vantage Point Historical Services), “Letters From Paris: My Life as the Wife of the U.S. Ambassador to France From 2001 to 2005.”

The author explains that it was a deliberate decision not to write about political matters. Instead, the letters “were intended to chronicle the social side of our life in Paris.” Some of the revelations are personal; others shed light on the diplomatic requirements of the posting, still others on government protocol. Howard Leach is identified in the book as HHL. Highlights:

For a visit to Paris, the Bush staff required 800 hotel rooms. “President George W. Bush eats a lot of bananas. He said it’s just because they are good for you.”

The Leaches “went to a memorial service for Ilan Ramon, the Israeli astronaut who was killed in the Columbia accident . ... HHL was up front with all the officials, looking dashing in a white satin yarmulke. At the end of the service, security escorted us to the door as if he was a rock star.”

“My guard is a rather funky but extremely professional young female . ... But she is beginning to get on my nerves. Today she wore the most Godawful perfume! I’m going to have to do something about that.” A few chapters later: “The girl with the awful perfume hasn’t been assigned to me for a while. She is still around, though, on the conditions that she tie her wild hair back and not wear any of that perfume.”

At weekend hunts, “I am definitely on the birds’ team,” writes Leach, “and delight when they fly over unscathed.” After one weekend staying with other guests — including Scandinavian royalty — at a 300-room chateau, nearly a thousand dead birds were laid out and surrounded by votive candles “in the shape of the crest of the Queen of Denmark.” At the end of the evening, “four musicians emerged in regional costume and played ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ and ‘God Bless America.’ ”

Stores like Zara “do a very good job” of creating copies of Chanel and Prada, but “personally, I have a problem with it” because those clothes “are all over Paris being worn by not the best dressed.” In other style notes, Catherine Deneuve’s hairdresser charges 692 euros for a cut.

In Normandy, the Leaches attended a large and fancy wedding, with the bride being from a “very high profile” family. “It did get a little dicey when the priest started disparaging the rich as he made his comments to the bride and groom. When it was time for communion, the grandfather of the bride said to the priest, ‘I’m not sure I should take communion, as I am rather rich.’ So the priest bypassed him.”

As to French wit: “Humor is not their strong suit — there is usually nothing frivolous in conversation, and people don’t laugh just because they’re having fun, or sit down and tell a joke.” And, writes Leach, they don’t much like dancing, either.

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