The frenzied pace of life has us missing out on the essentials. That’s what two ocean lovers discovered when they set foot back on terra ferma. The sailors became entrepreneurs — purveyors of joy. This is a story as unique as their business.
Propelled by their dreams of adventure, in full sail, course set on a more authentic life in line with their hopes, Vicky and Patrick spent six years on their sailboat in the Bahamas.
It was a minimalist life, pared down to the essentials: when you’re on a sailboat that’s under 40 feet, every square inch counts; there is no place for anything extra.
Vicky is originally from Saguenay, specifically Jonquière. A naturopath by training, she loves living close to nature. For Patrick, the lure of nature has always drawn him to the rivers and seas. He learned very young to master the powerful currents of the St. Lawrence and adjust his sails to the changing winds.
After spending so long in the Caribbean, returning to Québec in 2021 was a shock.
Their relaxed life in the Bahamas, lulled by the lazy waters of the ocean, bathed in the warm light and the sound of waves sloshing against the hull, seemed far away amidst the traffic, pollution, busy schedules, and car horns.
What to do?
The couple had bought land in the Saguenay, 400,000 square feet of nature in the magnificent village of Sainte-Rose-du-Nord, known as the pearl of the fjord. The solution to their problem would come from the trees braving the weather, the river playing its flowing music, the light warming hearts.
The antidote to a tumultuous life is to unwind in nature. The idea for Exode was born.
Exode en Nature is a rejuvenation centre with six chalets, each one different, set in the woods. Luxury shacks, as the owners fondly call them.
But, of course, they have all the trappings of modern life, including wifi (but no TV!).
But the true luxury is exposure to the elements. It’s the light, the trees, and the silence.
It’s also the wood-burning stoves in the cottages and the outdoor, wood-heated Nordic baths, which in winter take up to five hours to reach the ideal temperature — and that’s how it’s intended, so visitors can live on nature’s time.
It’s all in the delicious little details, like the names of the chalets, which sound like poems: La Méliot, La Baumier, La Myrica, La Thuya, La Sumac, La Pimbina, as well as the plants that grow on the land.
For Vicky and Patrick, luxury is first and foremost ecological. Because they have sustainable development in their blood, naturally.
The cottages are built almost exclusively by the owners, using as much recycled, recovered materials as possible.
“We buy local; we draw on the nature that surrounds us,” Vicky explains. “The cottages are equipped with solar panels. Much of the energy comes from natural sources.”
There are also the hens and their multicoloured eggs. There is Rivière Pelletier and the plants: Vicky knows each one’s name, which are edible and how to prepare them. “We are living in harmony with the land. And that’s the way of life we want to share with our guests.”
Visitors come 50% from Europe and 50% from Québec.
They come to spend a few days in the calm. And sometimes, the unexpected happens.
“Lots of them come to mark an event, like a honeymoon. But others come to think, to press pause on their frenetic lives. We have countless stories from people who have made big decisions during their stay, such as quitting a job, moving, or radically changing their lives. For us, reconnecting with the essential is precisely why we created Exode en nature.”
People who want to add some movement to their nature meditation will not be left wanting.
Nearby, there is Tadoussac and its whales, the fjord and its water sports, outdoor activities in the Parc national des Monts-Valin and the Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay, and dogsledding. There is no lack of options.
“We would very much like to add sailing, of course,” Patrick says. “It’s in the plan; we’ll see if we can achieve it.”
Because the couple has no shortage of plans.
“I am a numbers person,” Vicky says. “I may be a naturopath, but I know how to count. We have a lot of ideas, but before we go ahead with them, Excel has to convince me it’s profitable!”
After less than two months in business, the occupancy rate is over 72%, which is outstanding for this type of accommodation, offered 12 months a year.
Exode en Nature is very active on social media — TikTok, Instagram and Facebook — and appears in travel guides in Europe. And word of mouth is doing wonders for the business, which enjoys a high rate of repeat visitors.
The future looks bright.
“Exode en Nature is an invitation to recharge, find your centre, live at a healthier pace. Judging from comments from our visitors, we’ve accomplished what we set out to do.”
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Thanks to the engagement of invaluable partners: Économie Québec, through its agent Investissement Québec, the Government of Canada, National Bank, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), the Fonds de solidarité FTQ, and Fondaction, Evol has a large envelope to support, through conventional loans, businesses with inclusive, diversified ownership that generate positive social and environmental impacts in line with the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDG).
