Low Down Articles
Houses of the Gatineau Hills
Low Down Articles
Houses of the Gatineau Hills
Article 28 of 74
This article first appeared in the "Houses of the Gatineau Hills" column in the April 24, 2013 issue of the The Low Down to Hull and Back News.
Reprinted with permission. Search complete list of Low Down Articles.
o o o
Realtor's hobby house took on a life of its own
By Trevor Greenway
Ten years ago, Lyne Knight Roy was searching about for some sort of a hobby. She wanted to run a little bistro, a small cafe on the shore of Lac-Sainte- Marie or run a bed-and-breakfast up the line somewhere.
She settled for a lot more than that.
"I would live here," says Knight Roy, standing in her grand dining room at Auberge de Deux Rives in Kazabazua - a 12-room hotel, restaurant and conference centre. "But I have a beautiful house on the lake."
The Auberge is quite stunning among the towering evergreens that surround it. The forest-green board-and-batten cladding help the building blend into the ambience around it, and the lipstick-red trim that lines the doors, windows and corners help it stand out. The property is a wide-open playground for anyone looking for a quick meal or a weekend getaway. The 15-acre property has a boat dock, 1,800 feet of clear and pristine waterfront and a 56-seat patio overlooking the Gatineau River.
"This was my hobby, my challenge, a project that I wanted to do when I retire," said Knight Roy. "But then I thought, 'Why would I want to do something when I retire? I'll just do it now.'"
That was 10 years ago and the Century 21 Macintyre realestate broker just can't keep up with her hobby anymore. She's selling the auberge for $995,000 and hopes someone will bring some energy and passion back into it.
Even those with a slight interest would need only one peek inside to be sold on the quaint Gatineau Valley auberge. The place is a wide-open, bright space with rustic charm spread everywhere.
From the unique antler chandelier dangling in the main room to the to the many vintage pairs of snowshoes and skis hanging on the walls, Auberge Deux Rives and its 8,000 square foot area embody a solid dose of Gatineau Valley nostalgia.
Diners can enjoy a meal while peering out the ground to floor ceiling windows that overlook the forest and the Gatineau River. Hardwood floors throughout lead visitors into a bar area before the building branches out into two identical wings for the building's 12 rooms. The rooms are simple and provide everything a typical hotel offers.
Upstairs is the large conference room, perfect for a weekend corporate retreat or a simple working lunch.
There's also a suite in the building for the owner to live in - a small, two-room space that overlooks the entire business. It's the control room.
"I sleep here all week," said Knight Roy. "It feels like home."
For more information on the Auberge, visit the website at www.aubergerives.ca. It's also listed with Century 21 broker Joseph Woods at www.c21macintyre.com.