Living in a boathouse with floor-to-ceiling windows is a luxury many people can only dream of, but it’s the reality for this lucky and hardworking couple in France who transformed an old cargo boat. Jérémie Malvy and his wife, Sara, live in a stunning boathouse in Paris. It almost doesn’t feel like they’re in the city because they’re far from all the hustle and bustle of the center!

This boathouse, named “Panjab” after Jérémie’s hometown of Punjab in Pakistan, feels very open, in contrast to the usual feeling of being inside a watercraft. It has a lot of plants and large floor-to-ceiling windows that let in a lot of natural light. The main purpose of living on a boat is to get closer to nature, and Panjab certainly allows Jérémie and Sara to do so. But Sara pointed out one disadvantage to having such a lovely home docked on the Seine.

“It’s even more difficult to be in such a boat because we don’t go outside anymore.” We are almost compelled to go outside. Okay, I’m going to a restaurant. Is it, however, superior to my current location? “No,” she clarified. Jérémie purchased this cargo riverboat used to transport cereals for 11,000 euros. It was in good condition when I bought it, and it took about two and a half years to transform it into a modern home.

While it had been a long wait, Jérémie and Sara can say that transforming this old boat into a floating house with floor-to-ceiling windows was well worth it. Living near the water has a deeper meaning for Jérémie, who emigrated from Pakistan to France decades ago. He couldn’t speak French and lived on the street, often under Seine bridges, speaking to the river.

Jérémie began to build his dream home after establishing a successful chain of organic grocery cooperatives and restaurants. He didn’t want to lose his connection to the river, which had been there for him during his darkest times, so he purchased a boat with an all-glass front that would provide him with a constant view of the water.

The downstairs of the boathouse is half-buried in water, which provides excellent insulation and acoustics. Jérémie and Sara get an eye-level view of the water—even one of the bathroom windows opens and allows them to touch the river water. Jérémie said that the river flowing around the Panjab carries all of his stress away.

 

This constant connection with nature has provided them a refuge—away from all the noise and worries. Take a tour of this beautiful boathouse in the video below. And for more videos like this visit: Kirsten Dirksen YouTube channel.