Quebec: Millions of French citizens have chosen to live abroad, spreading across the world from the snowy landscapes of Quebec to remote islands in Guinea-Bissau and the dense forests of Ivory Coast. These individuals are fulfilling childhood dreams of connecting with nature and engaging with new communities and cultures.
According to France24.com, Stéphane Denis, formerly an entrepreneur, left behind a life of business in France to reside in the mountains of Quebec. At the age of 33, he relocated to the harsh climate of Val-des-Lacs, where temperatures can plummet to -48°C. His mission is to conserve the endangered wood bison, a passion inherited from his father and shared with his daughter, who moved with him at the age of 10. Over two decades later, Stéphane has integrated into the local community, running a bison reserve and an outdoor activities center, and has become fluent in the local québécois dialect.
Laurent Duris, a former soldier, envisioned a different dream: living on a desert island surrounded by a turquoise sea. In 2000, he secured a 99-year lease on the island of Kéré, near Guinea-Bissau. Today, the permanent population consists of Laurent, his wife, and their four-year-old daughter. Over time, Laurent transitioned from sleeping in a tent to establishing a family home and a holiday resort. Despite the idyllic setting, life on the island is challenging due to the lack of self-sufficiency, requiring expensive deliveries of essentials like water. Their lifestyle relies heavily on international tourism.
In the forests of Ivory Coast, Estelle Raballand dedicates her life to conserving the endangered chimpanzee population of West Africa. Three decades ago, she volunteered at a monkey sanctuary in Guinea and has since remained in Africa, founding conservation facilities in Guinea and Ivory Coast through her NGO, Akatia. Estelle has opted to live without modern comforts such as running water, phone signal, and electricity, choosing instead to invest resources into the well-being and future of the chimpanzees.