Quebec Train Getaway at Escale au Lac

Photo credit: Escale au Lac Facebook page

More and more mini cottages in the heart of nature are popping up throughout Québec. What’s so different about the ones at Escale au Lac, which opened in late 2022 in the Portneuf region? Well, they’re located just 8 km from the Rivière‑à‑Pierre train station on 6 million sq. ft. of protected land and they’re 100% energy self-sufficient.

The trip is a total escape from everyday life that begins before you even reach the site, as there’s no cell reception in the area. Once you do get to your destination, you’ll find that Escale au Lac has a strong enough internet connection to stream a movie on your preferred platform if you feel like watching something. Taking a break from devices can be relaxing, but it’s nice to know you aren’t completely cut off from civilization!

True nature

For owners Jade Dussault and Anthony Roy, respecting the environment comes naturally. They used to work in the circus and it was by travelling the world that they realized the extent of resource waste. While they adored their jobs—Jade was an acrobat and Anthony was a circus technician—they could no longer ignore their need to get back to basics and lead a life that reflects their values. Starting a tourism business wasn’t in the cards at first. A founding member of FLIP Fabrique, Jade dreamed of building a place where her people could come and relax.

“We were looking for somewhere remote,” she said. “We were always so burnt out after touring.” Not only did they visit over 30 countries, during that time they also had their first child, who travelled with them to 18 of those destinations.

Finding a peaceful haven they could call home was a task in itself. Initially, they had no desire to welcome tourists. Their main criteria was that it had to be close to Québec City, their hometown. “We searched for six years because we were super specific in what we wanted,” Jade shared. “We were looking for something pretty big. We wanted a lake, a forest, maybe room to have some animals. […] When we finally settled here, we thought it would be selfish to keep all this space to ourselves. We were sitting by the lake and decided to change our lives completely.”

The family home they’d intended to build turned into a hospitality business. “Then the pandemic happened.” While in Paris on tour, the couple decided to fly back on the last plane to Québec City before the whole world shut down. A few months later, Jade gave birth to their second child.

Their business slowly began to take shape. Step one was obvious—they met with members of the Rivière‑à‑Pierre community. “Ecology and sustainability are in our DNA. We didn’t want to show up like a bunch of strangers. Rivière‑à‑Pierre is a tiny village where everyone knows each other. So we went and presented our project at a barbecue at town hall. Then we held a grand opening to welcome the whole community. That was important to us. You can’t just turn up out of nowhere and start building something without so much as a ‘hello.’”

The response was very positive. They formed easy partnerships with members of the community like L’Ambroisie, a grocery store in Saint‑Raymond‑de‑Portneuf that now prepares meals Escale au Lac visitors can order if they want a break from cooking, as well as the breakfasts included with each overnight stay.

Escale au Lac welcomed its first guests in October 2022. “The pandemic sped up our plans—we thought we’d be doing this in 10 years,” Jade said. “We integrated everything we liked about the various places we stayed in over the years.”

In addition to a fully equipped loft above the reception area, two entirely energy self-sufficient units that can host two adults and two children are available to rent year-round. They face south for maximum sunlight and were built using mostly local material. What’s more, they each have a composting toilet.

The cottages are powered by 15 solar panels, and there’s a generator in case of emergency. Only the loft has running water, although each unit does have access to an 18-litre barrel of water. Water management is one of the things Jade tries to focus on. “It’s a bit of a challenge because here in Québec, you’re used to turning on the tap and seeing water come out. One of our goals is to educate people.”

A thermal spa circuit and watercraft for the lake are also part of the experience at Escale au Lac.

The Vélopiste Jacques-Cartier/Portneuf is an excellent way to explore the area by bike or on foot. Built on an old railroad, the path stretches over 68 km, linking Saint‑Gabriel‑de‑Valcartier to Rivière‑à‑Pierre. In summer, it’s easy to check a bicycle on a VIA Rail train and bring it with you to Rivière‑à‑Pierre.

Photo credit: Escale au Lac

Jade and Antony have definitely found their little corner of paradise. They’re on track to being certified by Biosphere, an organization that promotes continuous improvement in sustainable practices. The pair also values how peaceful it is on their property, with Jade highlighting the importance of beavers to the ecosystem, as well as the other animals that can sometimes be spotted nearby. “Deer, foxes, moose, bears… Those are more rare, but once in a while, they come and say hi.”

While summer is the perfect season for taking full advantage of the idyllic surroundings, Jade also enjoys the fall, as the leafless trees make it easier to see wildlife.

The couple has no shortage of ideas—like a bistro they’ve dreamed of opening from the very beginning. Everything in its own time. “We’d like to eventually have 20 or so units,” Jade noted. “We’re also considering non-traditional accommodations. And we love art and culture, so putting on events could be in the cards. […] We really want to optimize our use of the property over the next 15 to 20 years. We’ll go step by step.” And every step of the way, sustainable development will continue to guide the couple’s decisions.

One thing’s for sure—with a playground this vast, visitors can fully enjoy the space without having to hear their neighbours snore!

Photo credit: Escale au Lac

Helpful information:

• Both units have everything you need to cook. Escale au Lac also has a partnership with L’Ambroisie, a grocery store you can order meals from, which will be stored in your fridge before you arrive. The food comes in reusable containers.
• There’s no cell or data service in the area, so please get in touch with the owners if you’re coming by train so they can keep an eye on your arrival time.
• Escale au Lac is Bienvenue cyclistes certified.