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In Saint-Barthélemy, the island of turquoise waters and unique island life, a discreet but significant movement is taking shape: more and more young people - some graduates, others not - are choosing to return and settle on their native island. Despite numerous opportunities elsewhere, their paths all say the same thing: the call of home, stronger than anything else.
Marius Dufour, 20
Feet on the island, hands in the wood
"I grew up here, at home. "Marius did all his schooling in Saint-Barth, between the Saint-Joseph school, the Mireille Choisy college and the Mini School. He then moved to Arcachon to study for a general baccalaureate, but quickly realized that this path was not for him. "I wanted to do something concrete, to work with my hands," he explains. Back on the island, he discovered carpentry and opted for a bac pro. "The two years in France enabled me to see what I wanted... and above all what I didn't want anymore," he confides. Today, he dreams of a simple, free daily life, far from the golden clichés associated with Saint-Barth. "I live very differently from the image people might have of the island," he points out. There are those who party, who live the glitzy side, and me I'm more surfing, fishing, enjoying the island I really know. "
For him, staying here is a real choice, even if it's not always easy. Access to housing is one of the main obstacles. "We're 20 years old, we grew up here, our parents have been here for 30 years... and we can't even afford a studio. "There's already a lot of competition," admits the young man. Many have been established for decades and almost have a monopoly. It's complicated to make a place for yourself, but it's possible. His vision for the island is clear: "We need to ensure that the advantages the island has to offer continue," he explains. It lives on tourism, and we have to succeed in keeping this loyal clientele, those who have been coming here for years. "He continues: "trying to replicate Saint-Tropez or Monaco is pointless. The island has its own identity, and we mustn't lose it or forget where we come from and what we owe to it", concludes Marius.
Ylona Lenoir, 24
Leave to come back
"Every time I moved somewhere, I looked for a little Saint-Barth... but I never found it. "Ylona grew up on the island, from kindergarten to 3rd grade. A gentle, free childhood, punctuated by the sea, friends and animals. Then, as a teenager, she felt the need to go elsewhere: "I couldn't really blossom there any more, I wanted to move around", she explains. She moved to Montreal to finish her schooling at the Lycée Stanislas in France, then went on to study communications at university for three years. I loved Canada," she says, "but after six years, I felt like I was going in circles. Ylona moved to Milan for a master's degree in luxury management at the Instituto Marangoni, then to Paris for her final internship.
Still in fashion. But it wasn't to be. It was on her return to Saint-Barth, "just for four months", that she accepted a position with Dior. At first it was temporary," she says, "and then they offered me a permanent contract. It seemed like a no-brainer. "Today, she lives with her parents, "the rent's too high to pay on my own", but she can't see her future anywhere else. "Here, I have everything: my family, my animals, my friends... and I work in fashion. Why leave again? "exclaims Ylona. She's also thinking about the future: "I want to create something here. There's room for innovation," she adds. One day, I'd like to raise my children on this island that gave me such a happy childhood. "
Malkim Rounaix, 20
Rooted without attachment
Malkim is 20 years old, and lives once again in Flamand, where he grew up. After going to school in Gustavia, he went to Biarritz for a general baccalaureate. But after graduating, everything came to a standstill. I didn't know what to do," he says. My parents decided for me to go back home. "Back home, he naturally joined the family business. His father was a gardener. Malkim began helping him, and discovered a world that brought him closer to his passions: nature, plants, working outdoors. "I've always loved it," he adds. He lives with his father, and dreams of independence, but doesn't really see himself in the long term. "I don't know where I'll be in 30 years. It depends on the future or chance. "I don't know where I'll be in 30 years' time. He's considering training to get his Captain 200 so he can offer charters. "The ocean is always there," he asserts. Malkim is moving forward without a fixed plan, trying to make his own way on his island.
Serena Grimaldi, 23
The luxury of returning
"Before, I needed a change. I felt like I was going round in circles. "Serena also needed to leave. High school in Biarritz, civic service in an elementary school, then a Bachelor's degree in luxury marketing in Bordeaux, and finally a Master's degree in Paris. She gained a wealth of professional experience: product development, trade marketing in cosmetics, and a landmark internship at Hermès as assistant communications project manager. "I was in a metro-busy-sleepy spiral," she confides.
In February, she was offered a position with the Saint-Barth Tourist Board. She didn't hesitate. "It was a rare opportunity to combine my skills with my attachment to the island. "This return, which she had not anticipated, enabled her to rediscover local life in a new light. "As I get older, I realize that the quality of life here is a real luxury," explains Serena. She remains aware of the challenges. "It's not always easy to find your place," she admits. And yet, she hangs in there. "I'm learning and evolving every day. And I love contributing to the island's image," she smiles. For Serena, this return is not a step backwards: "I made a reasoned choice. This is where I belong. "
Antonin Scioux, 20
To stay is to live free
Antonin arrived in Saint-Barth at the age of 5. He grew up here, took his baccalaureate and passed his exams in Saint-Martin. "I passed, and that's that," he says with a smile. For a while, he thought about leaving. An avid windsurfer, he was considering a sport-study program in mainland France. I already had friends there," he says. But in ninth grade, with Covid, I realized that they didn't have the freedom to sail and do a lot of things. Here, I had that freedom. "It was a turning point. He decided to stay, convinced that there was more space here to live... and to build. "In terms of work, there were opportunities. And I knew what I wanted to do," confides Antonin.
Today, he's a villa manager, mainly in charge of maintenance and the smooth running of the premises. In his final year of study, he began to reintegrate into the professional world. I got back into the swing of things slowly," he explains. I wanted to move forward at a steady pace. "Today, he's looking to the long term. "In my business, it's totally possible. You just have to keep your prices reasonable. Our clientele is quite luxurious, but you have to remain humble. "Antonin loves the island, as much for its atmosphere as for its energy. "I meet a lot of people passing through, so I can diversify. "And if you had to sum up his attachment in one word? He says it without hesitation: "Freedom. "
Anna Tretiacoff, 21
Coming back to better find yourself
"I didn't really know where I wanted to be anymore, I'd lost my way a bit. "For Anna, coming back to Saint-Barth was above all a quest for balance. After graduating from high school in Toulon, she returned home, gained experience in ready-to-wear - Poupette, Zadig & Voltaire, Vilebrequin - then left for Paris, where she began training in luxury marketing and management. But she soon realized that it wasn't for her: "I studied for a year, then stopped. I went back to work", she confides.
Two seasons in Saint-Tropez exposed her to the intense rhythm of seasonal sales. It shaped me," she says, "but it also made me wonder where I wanted to build my life. "It was during a trip to India that she took a step back. On her return, she felt a vital need. "I had an urgent desire to come home," she asserts. Today, she works at Bvlgari and lives alone on the island, a situation she considers a privilege. It's very difficult for young locals to find accommodation," she laments. We sometimes find ourselves living like seasonal workers, with jobs that don't suit us. "Despite all this, she maintains a clear vision: "You have to earn astronomical sums to live decently, but I want to build here, to open an art gallery one day. "She smiles confidently: "I have lots of friends who are artists, in graphic design, painting, jewelry, and adds with a laugh, I, who am a very good saleswoman, could sell anything to anyone! "
