In Rawdon, in Lanaudière, the BESIDE Habitat chalets and property form a small oasis of peace in the middle of a nature reserve.
Since 2019, BESIDE Habitat aims to provide visitors with a place where people can coexist with nature. “The main mission of BESIDE is to bring people into nature so that they become aware of its fragility and in turn want to protect it,” explains Eliane Cadieux, co-founder and head of creation. We hope that visitors come back from their experience inspired, creative and optimistic to contribute to nature conservation in their daily lives.”
Sarah Bergeron-Ouellet, QMI Agency
Today the brand has chalets in Lanaudière and Outaouais where visitors can discover the delights of the great outdoors.
MODERN AND WELCOME CHALETS
The Rawdon Chalets, of which there are 45, are true architectural gems set amongst the trees on a 900 acre estate. Their spacious and warm interior reflects an industrial style.
Sarah Bergeron-Ouellet and Élise Fiola, QMI Agency
Thanks to large windows opening onto a wooded landscape, the space is bathed in natural light and is the ideal place to relax and feel connected to nature.
BESIDE Habitat offers various chalet styles that can accommodate two to eight people. Each offers a large common room with an open living room and kitchen where you can meet. The kitchen is fully equipped and provides visitors with everything they need to prepare meals and share them at the counter, which also serves as a table.
Everything seems designed for comfort: underfloor heating, large L-shaped sofa, small wood stove, etc.
The chalet we settled in, Le Terre-à-Terre, has three bedrooms and three bathrooms. On each side of the main body, two private rooms invite tranquility and provide intimate, soundproof spaces. These two wings are separated from the main room by small glass corridors and each has its own toilet.
Élise Fiola, QMI agency
In the gable there is a mezzanine-style bedroom overlooking the kitchen and living room, creating an elegant atmosphere in minimalist decor without obstructing the cathedral ceiling.
A carefully integrated sauna area invites you to relax. Perfect for rewarding yourself after a day outside on the surrounding hiking trails.
PROTECTED AND RESTORED AREAS
The environment of the chalets is a continuation of this atmosphere, designed to recharge your batteries. Nature as far as the eye can see, winding hiking trails and carefully crafted outdoor spaces such as private campfires allow visitors to reconnect with the environment.
Access to the lakes and developed paths is shared between the various chalets on the property.
Élise Fiola, QMI agency
On-site, the company also offers rental of pods heated by a wood-burning stove for visitors who want to experience a more intimate stay.
Overall, the company is committed to protecting 80% of the land acquired for BESIDE Habitat. This means that only 20% of the area is used for real estate development and the construction of chalets. The rest of the area is dotted with small outdoor facilities such as paths or viewpoints, but nothing more.
These leisure tourism facilities also make it possible to “open the experience to workshops, to discoveries, to learning,” emphasizes Eliane Cadieux.
BESIDE Habitat wants to differentiate itself from a simple holiday destination. Experience teaches us to slow down, believes the co-founder. “[C’est par des détails] – for example, that we didn't have a TV on a weekend, that we cook on the fire more often, albeit more slowly, or that we go for a long walk to be alone by the lake – that we come away with a different perspective on what surrounds us Come home.”
NEXT TO HABITAT – Lanaudière
- 1 hour and 30 minutes from Montreal, in Rawdon
- From $200 per night
- Dogs accepted ($)
- If you stay 7 nights or more you will receive a 25% discount
- 30% discount on midweek stays with code RELAX30
- Find out more: besidehabitat.com/en