Former home of hockey great Patrick Roy exudes four-season comfort

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367 Chemin du Tour-du-Lac, Lac-Beauport, Que.

Asking price: $11.9-million

Property tax: $33,718; School tax: $4,419 (2022)

Lot size: 427 by 370 feet

Agents: Cédrick Benoit, Vincent Fortin (Engel & Völkers) and Marie-Ève Roger

The backstory

They say the grass is always greener on the other side, and apparently sometimes the water is bluer on the other side too.

Montreal entrepreneur Dave Villeneuve already had a cottage on Lac Beauport but for years had his eyes on another lakefront property in the exclusive enclave north of Quebec City. “I was seeing it every morning when I got up with my coffee and every time we were doing sport around the lake. Each time I was telling myself that I want it,” he said.

The only problem was it was already occupied by one of Quebec’s most famous citizens: Four-time Stanley Cup champion goalie Patrick Roy. Eventually, Mr. Villeneuve decided he was tired of just admiring the place and decided contact Mr. Roy and make an offer.

“It was for him an emotional sale, because he lived there since 1998 with his three kids,” said Mr. Villeneuve, but the men discussed possible prices although nothing was settled initially. “He called me back one month after to confirm he was ready.”

Needless to say, it’s extra special when your favourite lake house is also connected to your favourite team.

“When I was a kid, Pat was always the best goalie for my dad and I, and I also have [Canadiens] season tickets,” Mr. Villeneuve said. “I play hockey 2-3 times a week and during winter I also do a hockey rink at home for my kids and friends.”

Best of all, in addition to being the goalie for the last Canadian team to win a

, Mr. Roy is according to Mr. Villeneuve “a very nice gentleman.”

Lakefront luxury

It’s really not a house so much as a compound with 425 feet of beach, one of the largest lots on the lake and every amenity a hockey legend could want. There’s a concrete dock, a newly refurbished boathouse for all your water sport needs and there’s a huge infinity pool that offers the illusion of it being a part of the lake. There’s plenty of winter sports on the lake and nearby too, all in an area about 15 minutes from Quebec City.

Down a winding tree-lined drive is a courtyard with a three-car garage on the left, and a huge turret with two-storey windows draws the eye on the right, next to which are the double entry doors. Just to the right is a short staircase down to the pool and terraced patios that lead to the lakefront.

A renovated Parkdale row house packed with 1890s detail - including a English country garden

The main motif of this house is a dark, almost stern, wood panelling and millwork set off against windows everywhere that draw in natural light. Travertine floors carry from the front entrance to the turret-atrium where a wooden staircase curves to the left along the window-wall up to the second level.

To the right is a step down to a massive kitchen with floor-to-ceiling windows running all along the side and back walls to draw in the lake views. There are not one but two islands (and three sinks), stonework walls frame the stove and butler pantry entrance and a Tudor-style grid of beams runs across the ceilings connecting to the wood-framed windows. On the other side of those windows is a covered deck with glass railings that wraps around the rear and side of the house that also features a full outdoor kitchen cooking area.

Architect Prithula Prosun Roy designed a home full of vibrant textures with a central courtyard for her parents

The kitchen flows into a large family room and formal dining space anchored by a stone mantle and fireplace on the far wall.

Beyond the fireplace is the games room. A virtual driving range that doubles as a home theatre connects to a putting green. There’s space for a pool table or your own at-home pub.

There are five bedrooms but the unquestioned star of the show is the primary suite which sits above the kitchen/family room with an even more elevated lake view (including from the soaker tub) and 1,500 square feet of space. There’s a massive ensuite bath and a 40-foot long windowed closet space behind the bed.

Even the basement has lake views including the full-size gym – large enough for whatever pro or amateur body work you’re into – that walks out to ground level. There’s also a wood-lined office with a wall of windows facing the lake. The sauna offers a little more privacy and tucked away down here is a huge wine cellar as well.

Above what may be the cleanest-looking garage in Canada (with more dark wood panelling) there’s an in-law suite/apartment complete with full kitchen.

Family time

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Mr. Villeneuve was born further north of Lac Beauport in Saguenay Lac St-Jean, and despite having most of his business in Montreal this has been his full-time house since he bought it. It’s a magnet for friends and family, some of whom come over almost every weekend.

“They are flabbergasted by the quality and the details of this house,” he said. “Despite its phenomenal size, the place is very unifying regardless of the number of people present. We have a beautiful view of the sunsets every day. Each season offers something different, but it is always breathtaking.”