A glamping idea that grew into reality
Good ideas often take time to come to fruition, because visionaries want to give their projects every possible chance of success. Steve Horman, his partner Véronique Piché and their associate Mathieu Fleurent, a building contractor, understood this well: they spent more than 15 years imagining their ready-to-camp retreats in Les Éboulements, Charlevoix.
In 2020, in the middle of the global pandemic, they decided to make their dream a reality. Originally from the Laurentides, they settled on the Charlevoix region: the river, the mountains and vast open spaces stretching as far as the eye can see. In the village of Les Éboulements, they found “a place that reflects who we are, a welcoming village with a tight-knit community. It was love at first sight,” explains Steve Horman, who has lived there for two years with his partner and their three children.
Hauts Refuges is intended as a gathering place where people can live in the moment, have fun and reconnect with nature. Construction of the first three retreats began in spring 2022. Made entirely of cedar inside and out, they were acquired from Cédréco in the neighbouring municipality of Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs. Within a few months, La Luciole, La Forestine and La Canopée rose in the middle of the forest. The retreats were designed to be practical, comfortable and welcoming for families who want to travel without too much hassle.
The partners received funding through Tourisme Québec’s EPRTNT programme to implement the project. The programme aims to renew and enhance regional tourism by developing attractive, distinctive offerings, showcasing innovation and opening new niches for tourism businesses. They also received support from the Fonds d’aide au tourisme of Développement économique du Canada (DEC) pour le Québec. This made it possible to complete the fourth retreat, La Chouette, in recent months. 
What, exactly, is Hauts Refuges? It is a four-season ecotourism property with several retreats perched among the treetops and accessible only by walking trails. These ready-to-camp units can accommodate one to six people and are designed for families. Guests can light the wood stove, read by the fire, play cards or cook with friends, an inspiring prospect. Every unit has several comfortable beds and everything needed to prepare meals.
Some even have an outdoor slide running from the balcony, enough to fascinate children and even their parents. Steve Horman explains that the slides came from former indoor play areas at McDonald’s restaurants, recognizable by their bright colours.
For now, the retreats stand at different heights above the ground and each has its own features. They have electricity and a refrigerator, but no indoor toilet or running water; a comfortable chemical toilet is located at the foot of each unit. In future phases, the owners hope to add a shared gathering area, a large communal kitchen, a park, a campfire space, a garden, washroom facilities and more.
Hauts Refuges – Prêt-à-camper
hautsrefuges.com
760, rang Sainte-Catherine
Les Éboulements (Qc) G0A 2M0
(418) 635-2329