A neighboring village to Talloires, Menthon-Saint-Bernard is definitely worth a visit. Renowned for its castle and palace, this village offers a unique blend of culture, nature and relaxation that will leave its mark on your stay around Lake Annecy. In this article, we'll show you the activities and places not to be missed in this picturesque village.
Enjoy the great outdoors
Menthon-Saint-Bernard has one of the most pleasant lakeside promenades. Come and enjoy the peace and quiet, but also the photo exhibitions along the lake. This healthy stroll offers a splendid view of the surrounding area, the Chère rock and the Menthon palace.
The Menthon-Saint-Bernard beach, at the end of the promenade, is the ideal place to relax and swim on a sunny day. It's also a great place for the little ones, with children's games and a paddling pool.
To make the most of the lake, the Bounty is the perfect address for renting pedalos or boats, with or without a license. For the more sporty, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, wakeskating and even water skiing are available.
If you head towards Talloires, you can also access the Roc de Chère nature reserve. Paths through the forest lead to a belvedere with an unobstructed view of the end of the lake and the surrounding mountains. If you access the reserve by boat, climbing enthusiasts can try their hand at psychobloc, climbing a cliff above the water.
For those who prefer more classic climbing, the " Grandes Suites" sector in the direction of Veyrier-du-lac offers around a hundred varied south-west-facing routes.
Finally, the Mont Baret hike is ideal for those who want to get a bit of height. Heading towards Bluffy, park in the parking lot on the Route des Penoz. A 650-meter ascent awaits you, with a panoramic view of the lake as your reward!
If you're on a bike, you'll have access to two interesting itineraries. The first is towards the Aravis massif, where you can enjoy mountain scenery via the Col de Bluffy. Or the second towards the Col de la Forclaz, one of the lake's most iconic spots, with its magnificent panorama. Accessible from Menthon-Saint-Bernard, with a difference in altitude of around 600 metres, it will delight the most athletic of cycling holidaymakers.
View from Mont Baret
For a cultural getaway
Don't miss the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, set in an enchanting hillside setting. So much so, in fact, that it is said to have inspired Walt Disney to create the castle of Sleeping Beauty. You can choose between individual, group or prestige tours. Prestige tours include access to more rooms and a wine tasting at the end.
The castle, whose origins date back almost 1,000 years, boasts hundreds of rooms decorated in typical medieval style. An impressive collection of antique books is also on display in the libraries. The castle's secrets will also be revealed to you during your visit, through theatrical stories performed by amateur actors.
A visit to the natural estate is also possible. It's an ideal opportunity to discover permaculture, their vegetable garden and their vineyards. What's more, the château regularly hosts events to bring culture to life and share the challenges of sustainable development.
In the village center of Menthon-Saint-Bernard, there's also the "Évasion mosaique" workshop-boutique. Come in and admire the skills of a mosaic enthusiast... and why not take home a souvenir for your home.
Menthon-Saint-Bernard castle
To recharge your batteries
There are a number of restaurants where you can indulge your taste buds and sample Savoyard cuisine.
First of all, L'Osmose du Lac is a bistronomic restaurant that you can discover for a full meal, an aperitif platter, plates or just a drink. The cuisine is traditional with a modern twist. Above all, the products are fresh and cooked with passion.
Le Confidentiel is another fine address, offering dishes worthy of gourmet restaurants, at a very reasonable price. It's perfect if you want to sample innovative French cuisine that favors seasonality.
Further up towards the Col de Bluffy, the Charbonnière farm offers a typically Savoyard experience at the top of a barn. Of course, the products come directly from the farm, and you can sample their fondue, raclette, tartiflette and even the region's famous white wine diots.
The Chalet du Port is the ideal place to relax by the lake and enjoy Savoyard products, fish and seafood, tartars and burgers.
For a snack or a sweet treat, there's also plenty to stop for. First of all, the boulangerie le Fournil de mon père in the center of the village was founded in 1944 and is a true ambassador of French savoir-faire. One of their sandwiches was even voted best sandwich in France in 2016. They offer the classic pastries of bakeries, but also the region's must-tries: Saint-Genix, Croix de Savoie, blueberry tart...
The Tweedle Tea Tearoom is also a delight to savor. You can sample different types of tea, accompanied by cookies, ice creams, delicious pastries and even homemade chocolates. All in a warm, cosy setting.
As you may have noticed, Menthon-Saint-Bernard offers you a typically French experience. From castles to gastronomy to scenic beauty, you've got it all in this beautiful place, just 10 kilometers from Annecy!
Interior of Le Fournil de mon père and Tweedle-tea