Water Villa | A night in a houseboat

On a sweltering day in July, testing a home on the water is a good idea. While a gentle breeze reconciles us with a beating sun, the song of the seagulls gives us an exquisite impression of having escaped from work. We are only 30 minutes from downtown Montreal, but the charm works: the change of scenery is instantaneous.

Isabelle Morin
The Press

In this summer period, the marina is lively. We came here to take advantage of the natural beauty of the place or to indulge in some nautical activity. It must be said that the site offers a very pretty view of the Chambly basin: its fauna, its neighboring municipalities and its Monteregian hills in the distance. Nearby, Fort Chambly reminds us that we are on heritage land.

Dozens of boats are moored at the quay that day. At the very end, a hamlet of four tiny houses is intriguing. Mounted on floating docks, these fixed barges stand out for their modern look and their two terraces — one with a spa, the other on the roof — which offer a privileged view of this bulge of the Richelieu and its rapids.

Without being the only one of its kind in Quebec, and although it is known in Europe and on the west coast of North America, the accommodation formula of Eau Villa remains unusual in Quebec. It is the latest project from the Van Life team, which specializes in different travel formulas, here offered in a more upscale version.

The vanlife versatile

Five years ago, David Vachon was tinkering with his own caravan before starting to fit out one for friends and realizing that he had a business project in it. He now rolls his bump with three partners and several employees. “We are one of the lucky few for whom COVID-19 has been a boost,” says project manager Arthur Peters. People wanted to rediscover Quebec. »

Last summer, the team brainstormed the idea of ​​diversifying its formula and transposing its expertise to other products.

It is this multipurpose home formula that Van Life hopes to eventually rent or sell.

We can already imagine the concept transposed in an outfitter, on a private lake or on a plot of land. In the meantime, the team is testing its fleet with its Eau Villa accommodation concept, set up thanks to the collaboration of the municipality of Chambly.

Exotic, certainly, but relaxing?

Inside, the floating houses of Eau Villa accommodate — in a very well thought-out micro-environment — a bathroom, a closed bedroom and a kitchenette with a miniature oven and refrigerator. In the living room, a sofa opens if necessary to accommodate two other people. A hot tub on the balcony offers the possibility of relaxation with a view, but the roof terrace is undoubtedly the place where one will want to settle in good weather to take in the scenery. The space is restricted, but pleasant, although one quickly worries about the proximity of neighboring houses.

The marina is located close to Old Chambly, its restaurants, amenities and bars, and just as close to Fort Chambly, a must-see tourist attraction. From our one-night stay, we witnessed a memorable sunset in the company of a horde of birds that had come to rest on the breakwater strip. After dark, the site is surprisingly quiet. The majority of boaters sleep elsewhere than on their boat.

The evening arrival of a small group in the neighboring house confirms our initial fears. Despite the installation of trellises on the terraces, the houses, glued to each other, offer very little privacy. For the experience to be satisfying, the space between the houses would have to be increased considerably. Moreover, Van Life’s wish is to be able to disperse its fleet further on a site which would be reserved for it. A good night’s sleep and a paddleboard excursion in the early morning (provided with the accommodation) will alleviate this irritating aspect.

Eau Villa recreates the boat experience. The space comfortably accommodates a couple and up to four people. We have no trouble imagining a family there, but two couples? “Boat” neighbors have just tested the formula for four and are satisfied with it, they confirm on waking. “It’s tight, but nice. If the weather hadn’t been nice and we had to stay inside, it would surely have been something else, ”says Annick Dionne. Food management has been a challenge, they add. The group showed up with their coolers. “We paid for a concept [380 $ la nuit pour deux ; 10 $ s’ajoutent par personne supplémentaire], emphasizes Christine Gagnon. We tried it. On to the next adventure! The fact remains that the experience is unique…”

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Accommodation was provided by Eau Villa.