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Voykit pocket guide · France
Menthon St. Bernard
Menthon-Saint-Bernard
Half a day to see the castle and the nature reserve, then move on to Annecy or Chamonix. One night only if you want a quiet lake swim.
Menthon St. Bernard is a small lakeside village on Lake Annecy, best known for its medieval castle and the Roc de Chère nature reserve. Most travellers stop for 2–4 hours between Annecy and the Alps. The village has a handful of restaurants and one hotel; it works as a calm break, not a base.
- Country
- France
- Local name
- Menthon-Saint-Bernard
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Avoid
- Nov–Mar (many places closed)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR, €). Contactless cards work in most shops, cafés and restaurants.
- Daily spend
- Budget €50–80 excl. bed · Mid €80–150 excl. bed · High €150+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Orange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.
- Emergency
- Police 17 · Fire and ambulance 18 · European emergency 112
- Plugs
- Types C, E · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin plugs; type E sockets have an earth pin sticking out, so Schuko (type F) plugs need a C/E hybrid or an adapter.
- Tipping
- Café or bar: Leave small change, €0.20–1.; Restaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.; Taxi: Round up to the next euro or two.; Hotel porter or housekeeping: €1–2 per bag or per night.; Tour guide: €5–10 per person for a half day, more for private guides.
- Water
- Tap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise. Restaurants must serve a free carafe of tap water on request.
- Toilets
- Paris has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | €2–4 |
| Lunch menu (Le Chalet du Port) | €18–28 |
| Beer (draught) | €5–7 |
| Taxi Annecy → Menthon | €25–35 |
| Bus Annecy → Menthon | €2–4 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- GVA · Geneva Airport
- About 45 min by car; bus to Annecy then local bus or taxi
- LYS · Lyon-Saint Exupéry
- About 1 h 45 min by car; train to Annecy then bus
Typical fares
- Bus Annecy → Menthon
- about €2–4, about 15 min (check)
- Taxi Annecy → Menthon
- €25–35
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
On foot: the castle, reserve and lakefront are within a 20-min walk. No public transport inside the village; a car or taxi from Annecy is the practical option.
See and do
Known for
- Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
- Roc de Chère National Nature Reserve
- Lake Annecy waterfront
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Annecy | Bus or car, about 15 min | 20 min |
| Chamonix | Car via A40, about 1 h | 1 h 15 min |
| Megève | Car via D909, about 45 min | 1 h |
| Morzine | Car via A40 and D902, about 1 h 15 min | 1 h 30 min |
Sleep
- Lakeside (Le Palace de Menthon area)
- The only hotel cluster; quiet, lake views, 10 min walk to the castle.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Bonjourbohn-zhoor |
| Thank you | Mercimair-see |
| How much? | Combien ?kom-byen |
| Where is the castle? | Où est le château ?oo ay luh shah-toh |
| The bill, please | L'addition, s'il vous plaîtla-dee-syon, seel voo pleh |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Say 'bonjour madame/monsieur' on entering any shop, bus or office; avoid: Asking a question before saying bonjour — it is read as rude
- Cheek kisses (la bise): Follow the other person's lead; one to four kisses depending on region; avoid: Initiating la bise with strangers or in business
- Addressing people: Use 'vous' and titles until invited otherwise; avoid: First names and 'tu' with older people or staff
- Restaurants: Wait to be seated in restaurants; call the waiter 'monsieur' or 'madame'; avoid: 'Garçon', snapping fingers, asking for the bill before you are finished
- Conversation: Debate is a pleasure; food, politics and philosophy are fair game; avoid: Asking about salary or religion; loud voices on trains
- Dinner at a home: Bring flowers (not chrysanthemums), chocolates or a good bottle; arrive 10–15 minutes late; avoid: Cutting the tip off a cheese wedge or asking for ketchup
- Dress: Smart-casual in cities; covered shoulders in churches; avoid: Beachwear in town centres
Scams and watch-outs
- The castle is a private residence: check opening days and times on its website.
- Roc de Chère trails can be muddy after rain; wear sturdy shoes.
- No supermarket in the village; stock up in Annecy.
Very safe. The main risk is slippery trails at Roc de Chère. Lake swimming has no lifeguard; check local signs.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Menthon St. Bernard yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
- Roc de Chère National Nature Reserve
- Lake Annecy waterfront
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Menthon St. Bernard, revision 5239978 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5239978
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Menthon St. BernardMenthon-Saint-Bernard
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaît
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
The nearest consulate for most non-EU travellers is in Lyon or Geneva. Check your country's France page.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/menthon-st-bernard). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.