Georges Pagé was a visionary in 1951 when he bought a farm from a relative in the parish of Saint-Sauveur.
Not having much talent for agriculture, he had a cadastral plan made of the vast property, ensuring that it was divided into several lots. Subsequently, he always refused to sell the most beautiful land, located at the top of Domaine Pagé with an exceptional view of the valley, reserving it for his only daughter France. She grew up, got married in 1971, then carefully planned with her husband André the construction of their dream house up there, where they raised their three children and watched their five grandchildren grow up.
“I walk on impulse,” reveals France Pagé, who has never gotten used to living in Montreal. She had agreed to live there during the week, at the start of their union, but the arrival of their second child (and the adoption of a huge dog) precipitated their decision to settle full time at the estate. They rented a house while waiting to build their residence, which they wanted to be welcoming.
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, THE PRESS
From their house, the owners can see, among other things, Mont-Habitant and the Saint-Sauveur Valley.
It was in the mid-1970s, when many were building Canadian or Swiss chalet-type houses. Flipping through a French magazine, Mme Pagé fell in love with a house in Normandy.
“We were looking for a warm house, outside and inside, to raise our family, explains her husband. This type of residence met our expectations. I researched the particularities of Norman houses, because they have a special roof. A designer friend designed the house, which we had built in 1977.”
They kept the photo that served as their inspiration. And they are still delighted with the unique architecture of their residence, which allows them to take advantage of their privileged position.
“We have 11 French doors in the house, whether in the living room, the dining room, the kitchen, the family room, specifies Mme Page. We always thought we were outside, 12 months a year. We live in nature. The view is exceptional. You can see the Saint-Sauveur valley, the church steeple, the ski slopes of Sommet Saint-Sauveur and Sommet Olympia. You can’t see the sunset, but it is reflected in the valley. The mountains are half pink. It’s of all beauty ! »
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, THE PRESS
Many French doors allow to admire the nature and the superb view of the surroundings.
The house has long been bustling with activity. “Our five grandchildren, who are 17 to 22 years old, have spent their weekends here, because we are close to the ski slopes,” says the co-owner. During the break, they arrived on Sunday and left the following Sunday. The parents took turns. The young people also came in the summer, because we have a swimming pool. There was room for everyone. »
The grandchildren, who have grown up in turn, come much less often. Three of the four bedrooms upstairs are rarely occupied. “It’s too big and like everyone else, we’re getting older,” says Mme Page. On two or three occasions a year, we meet all 12. The rest of the time, we rarely go to the living room and the dining room. We stay in the family room, which is very spacious. Inevitably, the land is also too big and the swimming pool is not used. We don’t even heat it anymore. »
They certainly have a twinge in their hearts at the idea of selling their residence, so that another family can benefit from it.
However, they look to the future with optimism, since they will remain in the Pagé estate… at the very place where they lived before having their Norman house built. In the dwelling that they will build, all the rooms will be on a single floor, on the ground floor. There will also be a garden level, where someone can live when they need help.
“We just change the format,” says the owner. We call it our future CHSLD. We organize ourselves so as not to go to an institution. »
They are far from saying goodbye to family gatherings. To her granddaughter, who is studying in England and who is struggling with the idea of losing her second home, France Pagé has also made a promise: there will always be room for 12 around the table!
The property in brief
The house, located at 75 chemin du Domaine-Pagé, has four bedrooms upstairs, three bathrooms and a shower room. A wood-burning fireplace is located in the large living room open to the dining room which communicates with the kitchen. A second fireplace warms the master bedroom upstairs, which also has access to a spacious balcony. The basement is partially finished and has plenty of storage.
ASKING PRICE: $895,000
YEAR OF CONSTRUCTION: 1977
LIVING AREA: 3024 ft2 (280.9m2)
LAND AREA: 38,081 sq.ft.2 (3537.8 m2)
MUNICIPAL ASSESSMENT (2022): $542,700
PROPERTY TAX (2021): $3099
SCHOOL TAX (2021): $487
REAL ESTATE BROKER: Nadia Maltais, Sotheby’s International Realty Quebec