>>People

Home cooking
and hot tubs

>> Happy couple welcome one and all
to charming, gay-friendly B&B-spa

by CHRIS BARRY

Name: Sylvain Laroche, Jean Boucher
Ages: 41 and 43
Occupation: Proprietors of Le Traversin, a high-end B&B in the Plateau.
Bio: This handsome and thoroughly charming couple decided to convert their turn-of-the-century greystone into Le Traversin B&B almost seven years ago. Professionals formerly employed by the City of Montreal, they say that quitting their stiflingly boring yet stressful day jobs to work full-time on the B&B was like a dream. Though they would have preferred to have opened it “in a location that had palm trees,” they claim to be happy and have no regrets about the considerable pay cut their career change has cost them. “Money doesn’t buy happiness, you know.” An item for an impressive 13 years, together they cruise around in a sporty 2001 Ford Focus station wagon and are proud to announce that they’ve recently opened up a commercial spa within the walls of Le Traversin.

Do they promote their business as a “gay” bed and breakfast? No. “It’s obviously gay-owned but everyone is welcome. Actually, close to 75 per cent of our customers are straight, although many of them have connections to the gay community. It’s not like we’re helping people to become more open, most of them are open already.”

Where 80 per cent of their guests come from: God’s country just south of here.

Has any customer ever called up concerned that staying at a B&B owned by a couple of homo sex perverts might not be “safe” for their children? Yes. “But this sort of thing happens very, very rarely.”

Did they tell said customer that everything would be Jim Dandy as long as their child did what he was told and promised to keep his mouth shut afterwards? No. “But we decided it was probably best not to take her reservation.”

Do they ever get scared that they’ve allowed a homicidal maniac to come in to their home? No. “We’ve never had any trouble with any guest. We’ve been very lucky so far.”

The most valuable thing anybody has ever stolen from their house: A little yellow rubber duckie from the bathtub. “Oh yes, and one time somebody took one of our towels—a blue one.”

How they deal with totally boring guests who want to stay up all night chatting with them: Politely.

A big breakfast hit: Aumônière Normand. A thin crêpe-type thingy shaped into a little bag filled with baked apples, cinnamon, maple syrup, blueberries, strawberries and fresh cream.

One perk to staying at Le Traversin: You get to hang out in their spa for free.

Is it okay if patrons want to jump up and down nude in their hot tub? Certainly.

How to make a reservation: By calling 597-1546

Their preferred alcoholic beverage: Red wine.

Last book read: Jean: Shock, by Robin Cook. Sylvain: Thinner, by Stephen King

One film they both dug: Astérix et Obélix: Mission Cléopatre.

Musical preferences: Classical, new age.

Collective words of wisdom: “Always feel comfortable with what you do.” :

Comments? dimwit@openface.ca