Martin Trow-Lépine has always had fun outside. Surfing, cycling, climbing and snowboarding are part of his daily life. This is why this documentary filmmaker built his ideal base camp in La Conception, about twenty kilometers from Mont-Tremblant National Park.
“Martin needs to move around a lot. He renovated this house for years to be able to combine his passion for outdoor sports and the needs of his production company,” says his father, Emmanuel, who serves as our guide for the visit.
“If he sells it, it’s to move to Gaspésie where his partner, a marine biologist, got the job she had dreamed of for a long time. It’s also a great place for athletes like them,” he adds.
Beautifully located between the Red River and Montagne d’Argent, the small 4.5-acre estate includes a charming open-concept cottage and a large garage. This is also where surfboards, snowboards, paddleboards and bicycles are stored. There is even a climbing wall. The large door allows a small motorhome to enter.
Next door, the filmmaker’s studios and editing room are housed above a large room that has long served as a yoga classroom. Two technicians currently work there every day on powerful computers connected to high-speed internet.
“If we add a kitchenette – which was originally planned – this part of the garage could be converted into an apartment and offered for seasonal rental,” emphasizes Emmanuel Lépine.
Martin Trow-Lépine had been renovating, little by little, this old chalet from the 1960s acquired through a financial takeover for seven years. He demolished a large part of it to build a pretty cottage on a floating concrete slab heated with glycol. The proximity of the river, just across the street, prohibited him from digging foundations.
The entire house covered in cedar planks and shingles is designed to make the most of the surrounding nature, starting with a veranda facing the river. At the back, a double French window and a large terrace allow you to enjoy the mountain view.
“I have a small sawmill,” he slips, most naturally.
The ground floor is made up of two large rooms, ideal for family celebrations and gatherings of friends after a day spent playing outside.
On one side, we find the kitchen and the dining room where there is a wood stove, essential for any chalet. And on the other side of the large staircase – made of wood, of course – is a large, bright living room, with a library and large storage spaces for games.
The upper floor offers three bedrooms and a full bathroom, with bath and shower. Here again, the cathedral ceiling, nicely clad in wood and with exposed beams, reinforces the country atmosphere.
No need to go very far, or even take your car, to indulge in your favorite activities from this sports den.
On the one hand, you only need to walk a hundred meters to have fun on the Red River, whether by canoe, kayak or paddle board. The rather slow current, the lazy meanders and the absence of rapids between Labelle and Brébeuf allow a long, gentle descent.
Its sandbanks, which can be reached by crossing the river on foot, are also inviting for swimming and picnics.
At the back of the house, a path winds its way from the bottom of the land to the Montagne d’Argent, a place favored in particular by climbing enthusiasts, summer and winter. Other trails lead to several beautiful viewpoints over the nature of the Laurentians, as well as to Lac d’Argent where thrill-seekers can play jumping off rock capes. Rustic camping is also permitted.
Near the house grow a few blueberry and raspberry bushes. But gardening enthusiasts can unleash their imagination and create their dream vegetable garden. Berries, vines or fruit trees? Currently fallow, a field of around two acres can become the land of all possibilities. Sugar maples, mushrooms and wild garlic grow happily in the wooded part of the property.
“It’s truly paradise for people who like to live outside,” believes Emmanuel Lépine.
Asking price: $835,000
Year of construction: 2006
House Dimensions: 26′ x 42′
Garage Dimensions: 26′ x 42′
Land size: 18,570 m2 (4.5 acres)
Municipal assessment: $349,200 (under review)
Property tax: $3007.16
School tax: $303.82