Self-build on the banks of the river | See further

At low tide, the tidal flats are revealed on the banks of the river. This green texture is accentuated by the rocky Pèlerins archipelago and the mountains of the north shore, which stand out in the background. The view is spectacular from these heights of the Bas-Saint-Laurent. And it is there, on the hillside on an exceptional site, that a family has the pleasure of having built its nest.

In 2019, Julien Miville and Véronique Plourde, both natives from the region, acquired a piece of land in the charming village of Notre-Dame-du-Portage. After surveying it far and wide, and trying to guess the view through the dense vegetation, they put their plan into action without any certainty as to the location.

“It could have been simpler elsewhere, but we didn’t take the easy way out and it was worth it. As we built, I thought: wow… I knew the view was beautiful, but not that good! We had the spot,” says the owner of this little gem, with obvious satisfaction. This panorama is indeed a luxury that no construction can recreate. All that remains is to highlight it as best we can.

The river is visible from everywhere in the house. When the sun sets over the Charlevoix mountains, the scene is breathtaking. “At this height, you can see the clouds, the stars, the birds playing with the wind, the lights of the villages on the other bank…”, lists Véronique. And this spectacle is offered all year round.

The other side of the house, which overlooks a wooded lot, is not without its charm either. In winter, there are cross-country ski trails. In summer, it’s mountain biking. “We sometimes looked at a cottage, but we’re in it all year round. And we’re lucky to enjoy the services of Rivière-du-Loup, without having to go into exile to find them,” Julien notes. Do you get used to seeing these beauties? “Not really,” he replies. “There’s always something different. Every morning begins by contemplating the landscape.”

Dare to build yourself

The world of renovation was already familiar to the couple, but it was with the will of the apprentices and the confidence of the seasoned that the owners embarked on a self-build. “We have complementary strengths. Véro’s are the coordination of trades, project and cost management. I think I had a more macro vision. I was mainly motivated by the aesthetics and the atmosphere. Without wanting to make it a palace, I wanted people to come in here and say: wow!”

The terrain, which is not easy with its steep slope, required tailor-made solutions.

The plan of action was to keep things as simple as possible for the layout, with a minimalist, cubic build that emphasizes the essential: the view.

“I was prepared to spend a lot of money to have large windows. The other point, which was non-negotiable for me, was to have a large garage attached to the house,” adds the woman who naturally takes on the role of guardian of the practical: it has to be efficient. “I like everything to have its place.” Given the complexity of the site and the costs required to build the infrastructure and the foundation, the rest of the house was designed without extravagance, both inside and out, where sheet metal siding resists the onslaught of salty air and is maintenance-free.

Flexibility and compromise

The couple learned a few things from their experience. First, that you have to know how to make compromises and adapt to the unexpected along the way, sometimes to better seize opportunities that arise along the way, for example by removing a wall to better enjoy the view. You also don’t get through it without having made a few less fortunate decisions, for example choosing ceramic tiles that are difficult to clean.

“I couldn’t be there during the entire excavation. During my absence, several large trees were destroyed by the mechanical shovel. It will take time for nature to take back its place,” regrets Véronique. Two children later, the house also proved to be weaker in terms of acoustics with its large open spaces. And then there were the delays in construction that forced them to move into an unfinished house with a one-and-a-half-year-old baby.

“It’s always longer than you think. The last sprint is difficult and that’s when you get nervous because you’re doing ceramics until 11 p.m. at night!” says Julien.

These observations do not in any way alter their desire to start again one day. Already, these die-hard builders are eyeing up other plots of land. This dream home will probably be one among others, they believe. “We have clearly been bitten by the bug and we have more dreams than that in our heads! But let’s say that it’s a good start. Our children are now 6 and 4 years old. We have slowed down the pace, but it’s only a postponement!”