History of Château de Menthon
Overlooking Lake Annecy, the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard is a fortified house built over 900 years since the medieval era, between the 10th and 19th centuries. Listed as a historic monument, it is one of the most remarkable buildings on Lake Annecy, with a breathtaking view over the lake. It is also one of the most emblematic historic monuments in the Haute Savoie département. Since its construction, it has belonged to the Menthon family, who over the centuries have transformed the medieval fortress into a stately residence. To enter the Château de Menthon is to enter a listed site with a thousand years of history handed down through 23 generations of the same family, and which welcomes 40,000 visitors every year near the town of Annecy in the Auvergne Rhône Alpes region. Some even claim that Walt Disney used its fairy-tale allure to design the castle for Sleeping Beauty. Located 10 km from Annecy and 15 km from the 4-star Annecy La Ravoire and Les Fontaines campsites, Château de Menthon is a must-see for history and architecture buffs visiting the Haute-Savoie region.
A visit to a historic landmark
Welcome to Château de Menthon, a total immersion in the history of a family and a region on the shores of Lake Annecy, the department’s most famous mountain lake. Even before you step through the gates, you can’t help but breathe in the romance. This feeling comes from the beautiful panoramic views it offers over Lake Annecy and its compact architecture, as if each part were trying to snuggle up to the other. During your visit, you’ll step back in time as you take in the exceptional furnishings, half-timbered galleries and kitchen with its traditional passe-plat. You’ll escape to the owner’s bedroom, with its walls adorned with superb tapestries, the pilgrims’ room and the vast library containing some 12,000 books. Guided tours last around 45 minutes.
Rates and opening hours
Château de Menthon is open to the public from April to November.
Opening days and times vary according to the season:
- April 1 to November 11 (except July/August): 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays
- July-August: daily from 12:00 to 19:00
Price of guided tour of the castle :
- Visitors over 16: €9.50
- Children aged 6 to 16: €5
- Under 6s: Free
- Optional tours: gardens 2 €, kitchen garden 100 € for groups of 15 people
On weekends and public holidays, the tour is led by actors, except in October and November.
Do you like the local heritage? Visit the Paccard museum and the bell foundry, and if you’re a sporty type, you might enjoy mountain biking in Le Grand Bornand!