Palace de Menthon (Les Bains de Menthon)

The Palace de Menthon, also known as Les Bains de Menthon, is a grand five-star hotel occupying a turreted Belle Époque palace on the eastern shore of Lac d'Annecy, in the village of Menthon-Saint-Bernard approximately seven kilometres southeast of Annecy. The building's castle-like silhouette—steep slate roofs, round towers, and lakeside gardens—evokes the romantic architecture of the Haute-Savoie's aristocratic past, while the interior has been extensively renovated to contemporary luxury standards. Positioned directly on the lake, the hotel offers a private beach with access to the famously clear turquoise waters of Lac d'Annecy, consistently rated among the cleanest lakes in Europe. Room categories range from Classic and Superior Lake View options to Junior Suites and Suites; lake-facing rooms and suites offer unobstructed panoramas across the water toward the mountains, with Mont Blanc visible on clear days from the upper floors. Dining centres on a lakeside restaurant serving cuisine that draws on Savoyard traditions and regional produce; the terrace extending toward the water on warm evenings is one of the most scenic dining settings in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The lakeside spa is a major draw, offering an indoor pool, hydrotherapy facilities, and treatments designed around the lake's therapeutic environment. A private beach and water access for swimming, paddleboarding, and non-motorised water sports are available during the summer season. The medieval Château de Menthon, said to have inspired the Sleeping Beauty setting, crowns the hillside above the village and is open for guided tours. Annecy's old town, canals, and flower-decked quays are accessible in approximately 15 minutes by car along the scenic lakeshore road. The Palace de Menthon draws a discerning clientele seeking privacy, natural beauty, and refined service within the Alpine landscape of the French Alps.