A behind-the-scenes look at the famously chic St. Barts, with preservationist politician Helene Bernier.
The true draw ofSt.
(She officially got her taxi license in 2018.)
Credit:Courtesy of Tiffan Borelli
Her commitment to showing others the islands authentic local corners and rich biodiversity spurred her to foundSt.
But its an exhilarating opportunity any visitor to St. Barts can have, so I buckled up accordingly.
Ross Kenneth Urken/Travel+Leisure
On y va!
Ross Kenneth Urken/Travel+Leisure
she chirped, as she floored it onto the main drag.
She elaborated on the rise ofSt.
Bartsas a jet-setters paradise for the likes of Greta Garbo and Howard Hughes.
Ross Kenneth Urken/Travel+Leisure
She believes its important to tell and preserve the story of the island and its natural environment.
That is, the more money you have, the more youre able to find loopholes to build.
With us, I dont think thats going to happen, Bernier said.
Rapid development during the second half of the 20th century polluted these waters.
Theres still some hope here, Bernier said.
The area is being restored thanks to efforts from the likes of theMake Saint-Barts Green Againassociation.
Its important, what you leave to your children, she said.
Continuing our route around the island, we drove along the corniche toward Toiny Beach.
She pointed to a house where the Russian ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev used to live.
Its nowa villa that Le Toiny, a glamorous five-star hotel, books out.
She reflected on how the once-pristine slice of St. Barts has changed.
It was not like this… she said.
The water was bluer.
And we had a lot of trees everywhere.
Once, someone reported a developer who was bulldozing mangroves.
She had him stopped, and he promised to kill her.
It wasnt her first death threat, and it likely wont be her last.
There have been multiple bribe attempts, too.
But Bernier is unwilling to let people take advantage of the natural environment on this island.
Not on her watch.
In the area, there are some bright notes.
An elevated hiking trail flaunts an array of local fauna.
She once minded the kids on this property.
Now, shes looking after the future of the entire island.
Bernier lives just nearby, and we popped back in the taxi and drove to her home.
In her yard, a moringa tree stands adjacent to a desert rose.
This is her sanctuary though one that still attracts some conflict, too.
People come with million-dollar offers to buy her land.
Sometimes its difficult to say no, she said.
Shell often bring the tourists she guides to her house.
Depends if they are nice!
she said, flashing a smile.
I like to the tell the history of the island, and I am a part of that history.
Bernier set her on the right path.
We soon passed a construction crane for a villa.
Bernier said she doesnt think St. Barts needs any more hotels, and believes development needs to slow.
Because the charm of St. Barts is because its preserved."
At Eden Rock, she pulled the parking brake hard.
Prices start at $112 an hour but vary depending on group size and pop in of tour.
