Our dream of a bed and breakfast and personal retreat was born around 20 years ago in busy Montréal, in an apartment like many others surrounded by traffic, sirens and a high level of stress which, like most urban folks, we were so accustomed to we could hardly notice anything wrong. After David’s disorganized, but oh so necessary, college years starting in Natural Science and ending up in Music and Arts, he followed his path into a cabinet making diploma, which surely ended up being both practical and enjoyable! Arriving at the beginning of a new chapter, we were presented with a important choice: city or country side. In the end, we decided to avoid long commutes every week, go back to being able to live our daily lives together without hassle and to both move more permanently ‘‘up North’’ to the Laurentians where life was magically leading us. It was quite a drastic change in lifestyle from the ‘‘big city’’, very calm and peaceful to say the least! Fortunately, after a few months, we eventually learned to slow down. David got involved for a few years in the creation of a summer theater, and then the universe found an extremely clever way to push us both into leaving everything behind an accept a crusade towards the possibility of a brand new life in the Niagara region. We had meticulously chosen Niagara for its historic, touristic and artistic value; the perfect place to plant the seeds of our growing B&B dreams.

Finding the right house was an adventure in itself. We were both in agreement on that subject and did not want to compromise, the place had to be nothing less than perfect! During this time of never ending learning and research, which summarizes well our first few years in Niagara, David worked in a vineyard as a French guide and a special event supervisor, and then in a local bakery, which gave him the chance to improve his knowledge of the region. We obviously fell in love with the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake (how can you not), nestled away at the junction of Lake Ontario and the Niagara river. When time comes to start a new chapter, life often has a way of bringing us where we need to be and helping us in our choices…

After getting accustomed to our new world, we started to more actively look for our perfect home. It took 3 years before finally ‘‘knowing’’ we had found ‘‘the one’’ and moved in. Then a full year of hard work went by getting the house ready to host our first guests. We finally opened Panache B&B in Summer of 2013! For the next 7 years, the house, decor, garden and different spaces defined themselves into their current looks and functions, always driven by improving our guests’ comfort. Little did we know, something amazing was taking shape while we were busy living. Despite our original ‘‘Great 10 year Plan’’ (funny how we make ourselves believe we must control every aspect of our destiny… ), life had other, simpler plans to ultimately give us exactly what we needed, in opposition to what we thought we wanted. We would finally open our eyes, change our perspective and realize we did not have to move away from the home we had attentively built in order to open the retreat we ultimately had in mind. Instead, in a much more organic way, our B&B had naturally evolved into this next phase over several years, until it was simply time to make this slow and gentle rebirth official by changing the name to Gatekeeper’s Retreat… That said, we somehow felt the need to nostalgically keep a trace of the original Panache B&B story in our short new motto: ‘‘Your personal retreat with panache’’.

As for our second property Lightkeeper’s Retreat, by 2017 we could not ignore anymore our growing need and attraction to be closer to the water. We then decided to embark on a side journey to try finding ourselves a quaint Niagara peninsula based waterfront paradise for ourselves to enjoy, but also offer to people looking for a peaceful oasis to slow down, get closer to nature and recharge. I will be honest and say that when time came to search for paradise, neither of us were willing to make concessions on anything; we can both be quite stubborn! This possible future waterfront property not only had to be breathtaking, charming and comfortable, but also offer this sense of open space horizon views and privacy we were longing for. Well, it once again took another 3 years for our beach retreat to manifest itself, right when, hopeless and discouraged, we were just about ready to give up on this self-imposed quest which had been long and emotionally draining to say the least. That morning when it showed up, there was no doubt it had to just be ‘‘it’’. It seemed like the universe not only granted us our wish of space and endless horizon, but most unexpectedly threw in a lighthouse in the middle of it… We were on site the very next day and the view was indeed nothing less than spectacular. We could literally not believe our eyes standing on that beach, even in the chilly remnants of a late Fall stormy day. Despite the fabulous location, the lake Erie beach house had good bones for sure but needed much work to become the inspiring and comfortable nest we had in mind. We would spend the entire 2020 and first half of 2021 slowly building our vision, one project at a time until Lightkeeper’s Retreat was finally ready to share with you.

Since the very beginning of this wonderful adventure, our primary goal has always been to create and offer you the haven you deserve; your home away from home. A safe place where you are allowed and encouraged to put yourself first for a change and simply take care of your own needs just for a little while. Both our properties were built according to our own vision of what ‘‘a personal retreat’’ and ‘‘a personal beach house getaway’’ should be, but always with you in mind.

Our role is to assist you in your time of relaxation and self care by providing you with inspiring and comfortable spaces, as well as good food and good company if you decide to visit us in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Allow yourself to feel safe while taking a pause from your busy life and ultimately meeting your own self again. We are here to help. How is entirely up to you and what you are looking for. Simply ask and we’ll go from there!

One thing is for sure, we will help you slow down a little and discover the magnificent Niagara region: the charming historic old town Niagara-on-the-Lake we have the chance to call home, our picturesque and tranquil village of Port Maitland on Lake Erie’s shores, and all the wonders you can find in between including the famous and majestic Niagara Falls.

Simply come as you are, allow yourself to breathe and see where your journey takes you…