Sections

The core themes that shape BESIDE

BESIDE’s themes map out our exploration of the world through: urbanism, adventure, conservation, art, food, and more. Each one opens a door to ideas, stories, and perspectives that inspire a more intentional way of living—deeply connected to nature.

Browse our themes, explore the topics that resonate with you, and dive into the content that shapes our perspective on the world. Some sections are supported by committed partners who share our values.

VILLAGE

Architecture has a unique way of influencing the human experience, guiding the gaze, or shaping moments. Through the Village section, we explore architecture, design, and urban planning as levers of transformation for a more sustainable habitat, more connected to nature, and deeply rooted in the community.

Whether rethinking our backyards, reinventing the public library, or revitalizing a coastline, these collective projects are shaping a future where architecture becomes a tool for social cohesion and environmental innovation.

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Renovating a Century-Old Home in Québec

Against a tide of cookie-cutter neighbourhoods and instant polyurethane dwellings, the Rhéaume Gonzalez family immersed themselves in the joys and challenges of restoring a heritage home.

By:

Juliette Leblanc

Tim and Hannah’s ark

How a young couple beat the flood of modern chaos and built a tiny salvation.

By:

Kathryn Borel Jr.

Sauna Spirits

In cultures around the world, saunas are everyday sites of immense social and spiritual importance, not least because they feel divine.

By:

Mark Mann

The Music of Spaces

A walk with architect Brian MacKay-Lyons in Shobac, Nova Scotia: a place where history and modernity exist in harmony.

By:

Catherine Bernier

The New Cow-House

Au Gré des Champs puts humans — and animals — back at the heart of the farm.

By:

Juliette Leblanc

AWAY

Through this theme, we invite people to redefine the idea of travel, to embrace a slower, more local, more sustainable, more human, and more meaningful approach.

We offer itineraries, travel journals, and portraits of places that focus less on the destination and more on the experience, the journey, local encounters, and immersion in cultures far from our own. We offer destinations to our readers through itineraries, profiles, travel journals, and practical guides.

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How to Fish Responsibly

The best fishing stories are all about the big catch. But if we want fish to continue to thrive, we need to take care of them and their environment by adopting ethical fishing practices.

By:

Guillaume Rivest

Freedom and Salty Air

Lessons learned from a zero-waste camping road trip with a baby.

By:

Anouck Serra-Godard

Predicting the Weather with Molly and Edouard

A walk in nature can help us understand and predict the weather, if we take the time to observe the signs. Molly and Edouard, an Anishinaabe couple from Pikogan, share their story and advice for learning the “heart of weather.”

By:

Eugénie Emond

TAKEAWAYS

Takeaways through practical ideas and tools for living better, more slowly, and more sustainably.

Whether through tips on the art of small talk to build human connections, identifying common plants with beneficial properties, or fishing knots, this section aims to share skills that enrich everyday life.small talk pour créer des liens humains, l’identification des plantes communes aux propriétés bénéfiques, ou les nœuds de pêche, cette rubrique vise à transmettre des savoir-faire qui enrichissent le quotidien.

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