Restaurant, café, bar
Serving visitors to this site? Appear here.
Become a partner
Paid · Guided tour
Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
Medieval castle continuously inhabited by the Menthon family for nearly 1,000 years, perched on a rocky spur overlooking Lake Annecy.
Rémih · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
Type
Historic castle
Access
Paid
Price
From €12 (adult guided tour)
Duration
1–2 hours (tour + gardens)
Best season
April–November (closed Dec–Mar except Christmas)
Parking
Free (at the castle)
Town
Menthon-Saint-Bernard
What is Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
The Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard is a medieval fortress transformed into a stately residence, dominating Lake Annecy from a rocky spur 200 metres above the water. Built from the 12th century onwards, it comprises today 105 rooms spread throughout an architectural ensemble blending medieval elements (three original square towers), Renaissance transformations, and 19th-century Romantic embellishments under the impetus of René de Menthon, great-grandfather of the current owners.
What distinguishes Château de Menthon is its exceptional family continuity: it has been inhabited by the same family since its foundation in the 11th century, spanning 23 generations. It is the birthplace of Saint Bernard of Menthon (1008), founder of the Grand-Saint-Bernard hospice and patron saint of alpinists. The castle retains its period furnishings, a library of over 12,000 rare books (including an Encyclopédie by Diderot and d'Alembert), a kitchen with a 15-metre serving hatch carved into the rock, and a chapel dedicated to Saint Bernard.
Local legend claims that Walt Disney drew inspiration from its turrets and romantic appearance for the castle in Sleeping Beauty — though this claim is undocumented. The castle is listed as a historic monument and has pursued an environmental preservation initiative since 2018: permaculture vegetable garden, biodynamic vineyards replanted on the hillside, and a cycle of lectures on these themes.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Address
Allée du Château, 74290 Menthon-Saint-Bernard View on map
Hours
April–May–June–Sept–Oct: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 1 pm–6 pm (last entry 5:30 pm). July–August (until 6 Sept): daily 10 am–7 pm (last entry 6:30 pm). Exceptional opening Easter holidays (3 Apr–3 May) and All Saints' (17 Oct–1 Nov): daily 1 pm–6 pm. Closed mid-Nov to end Mar (except Christmas Castle). Verified on official website 14 May 2026 — hours subject to change during events (medieval fairs, festivals, Christmas).Verified 14 May 2026
Rates
Adult (15+): €12. Child (5–14): €6. Free under 5. Gardens and terraces only: €3. Groups (10+ people): on request. Verified 14 May 2026.Verified 14 May 2026
Booking
No online ticket sales — tickets available only on site the day of visit. Groups (from 10 people) and private tours: booking required via contact@chateau-de-menthon.com.Verified 14 May 2026
Contact
Tel. 07 81 74 39 72 · contact@chateau-de-menthon.com · www.chateau-de-menthon.com Verified 14 May 2026
Parking
Free on site (castle avenue)
Accessibility
Castle interior not wheelchair accessible due to numerous stairs and steps. Gardens and terraces partially accessible. No adapted PMR toilets on site.
Animals
Not permitted
Altitude
593 m (castle) — view from 200 m above the lake
Access
How to get there
By car
From Annecy (~12 km, 20 min), take the D909a towards Albertville/Faverges, cross Veyrier-du-Lac, then follow the "Château de Menthon" sign on the left before Menthon-Saint-Bernard. Narrow but well-marked road, free parking on arrival.
Open in MapsBy bike
Lake Annecy greenway passes the lake edge at Menthon-Saint-Bernard (approximately 1 km from the castle). Steep climb from lakeside (200 m elevation gain), route unsuitable for city bikes.
Open in MapsWhen to visit
When to visit
The castle is open from April to early November, with peak season in July–August (daily, theatrical tours on weekends). Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) offer fewer crowds and picturesque settings, with blooming gardens in spring and autumn colours in October. School holidays (Easter, All Saints') benefit from exceptional daily openings. In summer, the view of the lake from the terraces is sublime in the late afternoon (last entry 6:30 pm). The castle is closed mid-November to end March, except for the "Christmas Castle" event in December.
Nearby
Where to eat, drink, stay
Bakery, shop
Share your hours and specialities with visitors.
Become a partnerStay
B&B, gîte, campsite, holiday let.
Become a partnerPhotos
Gallery
Been there? Share your photos — we'll add them to this page with credit. Tag #loisirs74 or email photos@loisirs74.fr
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I book the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard?
There is no online ticketing system. Tickets for the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard are available only on site the day of your visit. For groups (10 people and above) and private tours, booking is mandatory by email contact@chateau-de-menthon.com or phone 07 81 74 39 72.
What is the admission price for the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard?
The adult admission price (15+) for the guided tour of the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard is €12. Child (5–14): €6. Free for children under 5. Gardens and terraces only ticket: €3. Group rate (10+ people): €10 per person. Verified 14 May 2026.
What are the opening hours of the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard?
The Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard is open April to mid-November. April, May, June, September, October: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 1 pm to 6 pm (last entry 5:30 pm). July–August: daily 10 am to 7 pm (last entry 6:30 pm). Exceptional openings during Easter and All Saints' holidays: daily 1 pm–6 pm. Verified on the official website 14 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
Is the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard wheelchair accessible?
No. The interior of the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard is not wheelchair accessible due to numerous stairs and steps. The gardens and terraces are partially accessible. The site has no adapted PMR toilets.
How long does a visit to the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard take?
The guided tour of the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard takes approximately 45 minutes. Allow 1–2 hours in total including exploration of the gardens, terraces and vegetable garden, and a break at the gift shop or food truck.
Can I visit the gardens of the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard without entering the castle?
Yes. The Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard offers a "gardens and terraces" ticket for €3 allowing access to the exterior without the indoor tour. Panoramic views over Lake Annecy, French gardens and permaculture vegetable garden.
Is there parking at the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard?
Yes, the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard has free parking on site, accessible via the castle avenue. Parking is limited in high season — early arrival recommended on July–August weekends.
Who lives in the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard today?
The Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard is still inhabited by the Menthon family, owners since the 11th century (23 generations). Count Olivier de Menthon is the current guardian. It is a private residence open to the public for guided tours.
Sources
Sources & verification
- www.chateau-de-menthon.com
- fr.wikipedia.org
- www.menthon-saint-bernard.fr
- www.lac-annecy.com
- hautesavoiemontblanc-tourisme.com
Multi-source verification at publication date. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
