Islanders, immigrants and millionaires: the dynamics of upper-class segregation in St Barts, French West Indies

Saint-Barthélemy is one of the most exclusive seaside resorts in the world. The three groups interacting locally – historic Saint-Barths, metropolitan immigrants, and super-rich vacationers or villa owners – are all overwhelmingly white. Their cohabitation maintains the elitist character of the island, while obliterating most of its Caribbean heritage. St. Barts’ resort identity is structured around a generic brand of exoticism, local variation of a global space of upper-class leisure. By insisting on the multi-class co-production of elite seaside locations, we lay emphasis on the roles of service relations and upper-class dynamics of distinction in the reconfiguration of local cultures within the places patronized by the super-rich.St. Barts’ resort identity is structured around a generic brand of exoticism, local variation of a global space of upper-class leisure. By insisting on the multi-class co-production of elite seaside locations, we lay emphasis on the roles of service relations and upper-class dynamics of distinction in the reconfiguration of local cultures within the places patronized by the super-rich