Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
A fairytale castle on a hill on the east shore of the lake, with many pointed towers rising from the forest. It is the birthplace of Saint Bernard, patron saint of mountaineers.
The castle sits high on a hill on the east shore of the lake, its many pointed towers rising out of the forest and looking like a fairytale from the water. Tradition holds that it was the birthplace of Saint Bernard in the 10th century. He later established a shelter for travellers at an Alpine pass, and he became the patron saint of mountaineers, which is also how the Saint Bernard dog got its name. The castle is still owned by the Menthon family. It opens to visitors in summer, with a medieval kitchen, a library and family collections inside. It is about a 20-minute drive from Annecy, or you can take a boat to Menthon's jetty and walk up the hill.
Opening hours
About May–Sep, afternoons only (check the website)
Nearby sights
- Roc de Chère Nature Reserve
- Talloires
- Duingt
- Cascade d'Angon
- Mont Veyrier
- Lake Annecy
- Col de la Forclaz
- Plage d'Albigny