hintercabin x
With spectacular views towards the peak of Mont-Tremblant, hintercabin x is a minimalist-inspired vacation rental that merges design and nature in La Conception, Canada.
The windows are like ever-changing paintings.
What is the story behind Les Rochers, what was your inspiration to create it?
I used to visit the Magdalen Islands as a kid, as my godparents had (and still have) a vacation home here. It has long been a popular destination for Quebec families. We’d pack everything into the car, go on a road trip and spend a few days at the beach, then come home.
I didn’t go for 15 or 20 years and kind of forgot about it. At one point, my partner and I were looking for a vacation destination and thought about the Magdalen Islands as he had never been. We found out there were direct flights and hopped on a plane.
For me, it was a rediscovery of the destination. We ended up going back a second time and a third, then eventually bought a house. Normally, we are based in Montreal but we spent all of the pandemic on the island. Now we do an extended summer on Havre Aubert and winters in Montreal.
Originally, the property had only a historic house with a lot of land around it. So we built a new home for us as well as a guesthouse we named Les Rochers. It came about after architect friends visited one weekend and jumped on the project. Construction took place the following year and we began welcoming friends and family in 2019.
The design is vernacular but with a contemporary interpretation. The shape of the house and the wood shingles are derived from traditional architecture but the windows and interior treatments are much more contemporary. The walls aren’t plastered, so the structure of the house is transparent.
How would you describe the atmosphere and the interior design of Les Rochers?
The feedback we receive from guests is that the windows are like ever-changing paintings. The house is located on a hill, with very few trees around it. So you can see the sea, the road and the neighbouring houses. The scenery is always different, depending on where you are in the house, the weather, the light and the time of day.
To you personally, what is so special about Les Rochers?
It was a passion project to share the destination and create a certain level of comfort for guests. We wanted to achieve a balance between simplicity and luxury, so guests are comfortable but there’s nothing they don’t need either.
What do you particularly like about the island?
There’s a real sense of serenity and it’s slow-paced, with nature, the beach and the ocean all around. We see guests arrive who have read the guide and know everything they want to do and everywhere they want to eat out. But often, they end up skipping these things to just watch the sunset with baguettes and cheese. It’s a very chilled vibe.
On the ground floor, everything is quite open, with a central staircase separating the dining/kitchen and living areas. The living room has a couch and a smart TV while the kitchen is equipped with everything you need, including an espresso machine, a Vitamix blender and a big pot for lobster boils. There is also a half-bath downstairs.
The second floor is where you’ll find the three bedrooms, each with high ceilings and a queen-size bed. They come with high-quality sheets, storage for clothes and windows overlooking the surrounding landscape. There is also a bathroom with a walk-in shower on this floor.
AMENITIES
Linen and towels are included in all stays, as is the final cleaning. On arrival, we provide guests with our own blend of coffee, as well as some local products such as cheeses, wine or cider.
We are always available for suggestions, either in person or by phone. During the high season, we are in the neighbouring house and we like to do the welcome ourselves. If we’re away, we are always responsive by text message.
We also partner with local companies to offer experiences or discounts on activities. For example, guests can do tastings with an orchard that makes cider or have electric bikes delivered to the door by a local rental company.
We always provide guests with a list of things to see and do in the area. I’d definitely recommend going on a few hikes and taking a boat excursion, either to go fishing or to see the cliffs.
We always recommend visiting Entry Island. It’s the only island in the archipelago that’s inhabited but not connected, so you have to take a ferry to get there. Around 40 people live on the island, completely surrounded by nature. It’s an end-of-the-world feeling.
I’d also recommend discovering some of the local food products, such as cheeses and honey. People usually drive around the islands, so stopping along the way at the fishmonger or the specialty store is a really nice experience.
The closest beach to Les Rochers is two kilometres away, which is either 15 minutes on foot or two minutes by car.
Les Rochers is located on Havre Aubert Island, which is connected to the Magdalen’s main island of Cap aux Meules by a stretch of land. Here, you’ll find the archipelago’s main grocery stores and the hospital.
Our island is much more remote, with a main road ringing the island. We are at its westernmost tip, which is mostly residential and with little traffic. There’s a small grocery store around 10 minutes away and restaurants between 20 and 30 minutes’ drive from the property. It’s remote but that’s part of the fun.
Guests can reach us by direct or connecting flights from Montreal and Quebec City. In high season, there are Air Canada flights available. If they are driving, it’s around 12 hours from Montreal to the ferry terminal on Prince Edward Island, then a five-hour ferry trip.
We enjoy both scenarios. Flying is super easy and you’re suddenly somewhere else. But when you drive, there is a real feeling of arrival. If guests are flying in, we recommend they rent a car to get around. It is possible to explore by taxi or by bicycle but the weather can be unpredictable.
July/August is the high season and that’s when the kids are on holiday, so lots of families visit the Magdalen Islands. I’d recommend visiting before, in May/June, when the weather is a little cooler. It’s less busy and people are in a good mood coming out of winter. This is also the lobster fishing season (May to early July) and it’s a great experience watching the fishing boats right in front of the house. You can also go down to the wharf to buy lobster caught that very day.
September/October is still nice and the water is warm. This is when we swim the most. Winter is also a great time to visit, although we only rent the house between April and November.
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