The castle at a glance
The Château de Menthon is on the Allée du Château in Menthon-Saint-Bernard. The operator gives the distance from Annecy as 10 km. Do not confuse it with the Musée-Château in Annecy, which is a separate museum with its own ticket. Details on that museum are on the old town page.
The interior can be visited on a guided tour, and the price includes the gardens and terraces. Tickets are sold only on site, with no advance sales.
Tickets
Prices as published by the castle. They carry no year, so confirm them at the ticket desk.
| Ticket | Who | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Guided tour, gardens and terraces included | Ages 15 and older | €12 |
| Guided tour, gardens and terraces included | Ages 5 to 14 | €6 |
| Guided tour, gardens and terraces included | People with a disability and one companion | €6 |
| Gardens and terraces only | From age 5 | €3 |
Private visits must be reserved. All other visits go through the ticket desk on the day.
Our picks: Château de Menthon
A minibus trip where the castle entry is paid on site, or a private day from Geneva with entries extra.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Private day trip from Geneva to Annecy and Menthon castle
A private round-trip transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver and water. Entries are not included, and the driver is not a licensed guide.
Check availability →Talloires and Menthon-Saint-Bernard castle trip
Air-conditioned minibus from and to Annecy, a guided visit of Talloires and free time by the lake. The castle costs €12 per adult on site.
Check availability →Excursions around Lake Annecy
Guided tours and boat trips around Annecy and the lake, with live prices and availability.
Opening hours
The calendar below is the one currently published by the castle. It does not state a year. Check the current timetable before you go.
| Period | Days | Hours | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| April, May, June, September, October to 12 November | Friday to Sunday and public holidays | 13:00 to 18:00 | 17:30 |
| July and August, through 6 September | Daily | 10:00 to 19:00 | 18:30 |
| 3 April to 3 May and 17 October to 1 November | Daily | 13:00 to 18:00 | 17:30 |
One version of the English schedule gives 13:00 to 17:00 with last entry at 16:30 for spring and autumn. To be safe, plan to arrive by mid-afternoon in those months.
The visit on site
The regular guided tour needs no reservation. It lasts about 45 minutes and starts every 20 to 30 minutes, depending on how many people are waiting. In busy hours, expect to wait for the next start.
- The castle has many stairs, and the interior is not accessible for people with limited mobility.
- Animals and picnics are not allowed on the grounds.
- Tickets cannot be bought in advance. You pay on site.
The gardens-only ticket suits a shorter visit, or visitors who prefer to skip the stairs inside.
Menthon-Saint-Bernard and getting there
Menthon-Saint-Bernard is a lakeside village on the east shore, next to the Roc de Chère. The forested massif lies between Menthon-Saint-Bernard and Talloires, and the village of Talloires is the other end of that stretch. The Roc de Chère has its own rules for dogs, fires and camping, which are listed on the Talloires page.
Roadworks on the east shore limit travel in autumn 2026. The road (RD 909A) and cycle path are closed from 14 September to 18 December 2026, and a detour for cyclists via Menthon-Saint-Bernard is signposted on the RD 909. Check the road status for your route on the day. For the wider lake, see Lake Annecy.
Choosing the right day and ticket
The calendar decides the day. In July and August the castle opens every day and for the full day, so those months are the easiest for a spontaneous visit. In April, May, June, September and October the regular days are Friday to Sunday and public holidays, from the afternoon. Outside the special daily periods, a Tuesday or Wednesday visit will not work in those months.
Pick the full guided tour if you want to see the interior. It is the only way to enter, and it includes the gardens and terraces at no extra charge. Pick the gardens-only ticket if you have limited time, if the stairs are a problem or if you only want the views from the terraces. Families should note that children aged 5 to 14 pay the reduced €6 for the tour.
Because tickets are sold only on site and the tour starts every 20 to 30 minutes, an arrival in the first half of the opening window leaves you room for a wait. Leave pets and picnic food at home or in the car, since neither is allowed on the grounds.
Combine the castle with
Talloires
Walks, rules for the Roc de Chère and the current east-shore limits.
Gorges du Fier
A walkway through a gorge, with a season from mid-March to mid-October.
Annecy old town
Palais de l'Isle, canals, the Musée-Château and the market.
Things to do
Twelve ways to spend time in Annecy and around the lake.
Château de Menthon: frequently asked questions
How much does the Château de Menthon cost?
The guided tour costs €12 for ages 15 and older and €6 for ages 5 to 14. The gardens and terraces alone cost €3 from age 5. The published prices carry no year, so confirm them at the desk.
Can I buy tickets online?
No. There are no advance sales, and tickets are sold only on site.
Do I need to reserve a guided tour?
No. The regular tour needs no reservation. Private visits do.
How long is the tour?
About 45 minutes. Tours start every 20 to 30 minutes, depending on demand.
When is the castle open?
In July and August it is open daily from 10:00 to 19:00, through 6 September. In spring and autumn it opens mainly Friday to Sunday and on public holidays from 13:00, with daily openings from 3 April to 3 May and from 17 October to 1 November. Check the current timetable before you go.
Is the castle accessible for wheelchairs?
The castle has many stairs and the interior is not accessible for people with limited mobility. The gardens-only ticket is an option.