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Chateau-de-Menthon

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travelswithkids
travelswithkids
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A Magnificent Historic Chateau Beside Lake Annecy

A Magnificent Historic Chateau Beside Lake Annecy

Chateau de Menthon Saint-Bernard is a very impressive castle alongside the scenic Lake Annecy. Its superb setting has the peaceful mountain lake in front and spectacular mountain outcrops behind. This is also the birthplace of Saint Bernard, patron saint of mountaineers, in 1008. The current castle dates to the 12th century, with various additions by the different generations over the centuries. As imposing as the multi-towered exterior looks, the interior is relatively comfortable looking. Our guided tour of the castle interior cost 7 euros and it was an interesting visit. Some of the highlights were seeing the kitchens, the chapel, and the library. The library, at the base of the keep, with beautiful views of Lake Annecy out tall windows, was particularly interesting. Thick with history, it holds 12000 books published before the French Revolution. The centuries-old chapel also has an area devoted to Saint Bernard, as you might guess. The tour guide was good about explaining features of the castle and its long history. Some sections of the chateau are still occupied by members of the Menthon family, so those parts aren't on the tour, of course.

Chateau de Menthon also stages its own pageant performance spectacular on some summer evenings, (not included in your tour price). We didn't stay for the show though. It might be an entertaining evening if you were staying in Lake Annecy for a few days.

To reach the chateau, start around the lake clockwise from the city of Annecy and then follow the signs. It is about 15 minutes from the downtown lake front. Picturesque Lake Annecy is only about an hour's drive from Geneva, Switzerland, so you can easily visit for dinner if you're in Geneva on business and want to explore the surrounding areas. But the chateau closes at 6 p.m. so you need to get there a earlier if you want to tour it. Of course, Lake Annecy is a pleasant lakeside resort town all its own.

From journal A Mix of Short Getaways in Southeast France

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