Abidjan: Millions of French citizens have ventured beyond their native borders, seeking new lives in various corners of the globe. From the icy terrains of Quebec to the secluded islands of Guinea-Bissau and the dense forests of Ivory Coast, these expatriates have embraced radically different lifestyles. Thousands of kilometers from France, they are fulfilling childhood dreams and integrating into new communities and cultures.
According to France24.com, Stéphane Denis was once an entrepreneur leading a conventional life in France. However, driven by a long-held aspiration to live in Canada, he sold his possessions at the age of 33 and moved to the mountainous region of Quebec. Despite the harsh climate, with temperatures plummeting to -48°C, Stéphane embarked on a mission to conserve the endangered wood bison. This passion, inherited from his father, has also been passed to his daughter, who joined him at the age of 10. Now, over 20 years later, Val-des-Lacs is home for Stéphane, where he manages a bison reserve and an outdoor activities center, seamlessly integrating into the local community and adopting the québécois dialect.
Laurent Duris, a former soldier, pursued a different dream of living on a desert island surrounded by turquoise waters. In 2000, he secured a 99-year lease on the island of Kéré, located off the coast of Guinea-Bissau. Alongside his wife and four-year-old daughter, they form the island's small permanent population. Over time, Laurent transitioned from living in a tent to constructing a family home and other structures that constitute the holiday resort he and his wife operate. Despite the idyllic setting, the island life is not entirely self-sufficient, with essentials such as water requiring costly deliveries. The family's lifestyle is sustained by international tourism.
In the Ivorian forest, Estelle Raballand's commitment is not rooted in fantasy but rather in duty. Her focus is on the conservation of the endangered chimpanzee population in West Africa. Three decades ago, she volunteered at a monkey sanctuary in Guinea and has largely remained in Africa ever since. This led to the establishment of her own conservation facilities in Guinea and Ivory Coast through her NGO, Akatia. Estelle has opted to live without many modern comforts, including running water, phone signal, and electricity, prioritizing the investment of donations in the welfare and future of chimpanzees.