Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Annecy. Give it roughly ~60 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type castle
- Suggested visit ~60 min
- Annecy Annecy guide
About Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
A medieval castle held by the Menthon family for over 800 years, standing high above Lake Annecy's eastern shore, its slender turrets fuelling a persistent fairytale reputation.
The Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard stands on a rock about 200 metres above the eastern shore of Lake Annecy, roughly 12 kilometres south of Annecy in Haute-Savoie. A first fortress, a wooden guard post, was raised on the site around 923. From 1180 the castle passed to the Menthon family, which has held it for more than 800 years. The three square towers date from that arrival, while the present buildings took shape between the 13th and 19th centuries.
By tradition, Bernard of Menthon, the future patron saint of skiers and mountaineers, was born in the castle in 1008. In the 19th century René de Menthon restyled the building, giving it the romantic turreted look seen today. That silhouette underlies a popular but unverified claim that the château inspired the castle in Disney's Sleeping Beauty. Still owned and lived in by the Menthon family, it opens to visitors in the warmer months and receives roughly 40,000 people a year.
Did you know? The Menthon family has held this castle since 1180, more than 800 years, making it a rare case of a great medieval château still owned and lived in by the same family.
How long is a visit to Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard?
Set aside roughly ~60 min for Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard worth your time?
Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard is among the 12 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Annecy, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Annecy
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard and read more:
Day 2 of the Annecy in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
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