George and I took a trip through the Atlantic Provences and Cheticamp was the one place we really wanted to return to. I told our family and friends we found a small French fishing village that reminded us of Ireland AND WE COULD DRIVE TO IT! We had the house built from 2004-2007 by local master builder Tommy Chaisson. The intention was to build small cottage, but two things changed that - the excavator could not do a crawl space so we got a whole level we had not planned on and then Tommy said the view from the upper floor was so fantastic he could not give us the low roof in our plans, so we got a third floor. The builders loved working on the upper level watching the whales come into the cove. We were in Vermont, and we came up to a quite a surprise. The interior is mostly wood - floors, ceilings and beams with an open spacious design that gives full view of the water. We share our time between Cheticamp and Vermont with our four children and four grandchildren. We started renting the house in 2007. We find the spaciousness of the house invites celebration. We host weddings, birthdays and family reunions as well as intimate quiet vacations and honeymoons. We get so much joy out of hearing the great times our guests have had and so many return. So, the idea of a small cottage grew to such proportions that it is shared with many others and this has surprisingly become a wonderful gift. We especially love the Cheticamp reunions. People born in Cheticamp booking the house for their family and siblings to come home to be with parents and relatives. We get several of these bookings a year. Then we get to know the people and their relatives and so much about the area. This summer we have two weddings, one 50th birthday party, and a 60th birthday party. It is such a joy to help plan these celebrations. I love it when George and I get to come up alone. It is like returning to Paradise. Just walking into the house takes my breath away.

Marianne and George Carroll purchased this house in 2003

La Maison is at the end of Cheticamp Island attached to the mainland by a strip of land. It is quiet, peaceful, naturally raw and rugged. The house stands on a high piece of land surrounded by natural growth sloping to the cliffs above the water. Its architecture is open, spacious and elegant lending itself to an intimate vacation for two as well as a celebrations for family and friends. It is the perfect place to come and be alone and rest, read, kayak and hike and also the best place to gather with favorite people. Our children love being here. There are eight miles of hiking trails right on the island and so much wild life. One summer we had two eagles fishing for breakfast right outside the kitchen window every morning. Guests and carpenters have seen the whales from the house. We love to listen to them communicating at night Lobster and crab and mussels are caught and harvested off the island and wild berries are all over the island for picking in season. I love the sunrising over the Cape Breton Highlands and everyone loves to bring a blanket up the hill and watch the sun fall into the ocean at the end of the day. The night sky is phenomenal. It feels as if you can reach up and touch the stars... The sky is so dark and the stars so bright. This is why we love where the house is. It is just amaziing.

Whenever we walk into this house it takes our breath away| I guess its the expansive views when the front door opens to the high ceilings and light natural wood beams looking through to the glass back door viewing the large deck overlooking the water and rising moon over the Cape Breton Highlands. I would say and have heard guests say beside being so beautiful, the house is so spacious. One guest said that no matter how many people were in the house he could always find a quiet place to read. That meant a lot to me because that is what I wanted out of the design. The colors are neutral giving way to the outside. Nature is the star, the water, the mountains and wildlife.