Château de Menthon Saint Bernard

History of the castle of Menthon

Overlooking Lake Annecy, the castle of Menthon-Saint-Bernard is a fortified house whose construction has spanned 900 years since the medieval era, between the 10th and 19th centuries. Listed as a historic building, it is one of the most remarkable buildings on Lake Annecy and the French Alps. Since its construction, it has belonged to the Menthon family who, over the centuries, transformed the medieval fortress into a stately residence. To enter the castle of Menthon is to enter a classified site with a thousand years of history transmitted by 23 generations of the same family, and which welcomes 40,000 visitors each year. Some even claim that Walt Disney was influenced by its magical allure to draw the Sleeping Beauty's castle. Located 10 km from Annecy and 15 km from the 4-star Annecy La Ravoire and Les Fontaines campsites, the Château de Menthon is a must visit for history and architecture enthusiasts who visit the French Alps.

Visit a must-see historic place

Welcome to the Château de Menthon, a total immersion in the history of a family and a region. Before you even walk in, you breathe the romanticism it exudes. This feeling comes from the beautiful panoramic views it offers of Lake Annecy and its compact architecture, as if each side was trying to nestle against the other. During the visit, you will go back in time at the sight of exceptional furniture, half-timbered galleries, the kitchen with its traditional serving hatch. You will escape in the owner's room with its walls adorned with superb tapestries, in the pilgrim's room and in the vast library which contains nearly 12,000 books. Guided tours last approximately 45 minutes.

Prices and schedules

The castle of Menthon is open to the public between April and November.

The days and opening hours vary according to the season:

• From April 1 to November 11 (except July / August): 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
• July-August: every day from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Price of the guided tour of the castle:

Visitors over 16: € 9.50
Children from 6 to 16 years old: 5 €
Under 6: Free
Optional visits: gardens € 2, vegetable patch € 100 for groups of 15 people
On weekends and holidays, the visit is carried out and led by actors, except in October and November.

Do you like local heritage? Visit the Paccard museum and the bell foundry!