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Major city · France

Menthon St. BernardMenthon-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.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

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.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
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More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
EUR
Best months
May–Sep
avoid Nov–Mar (many places closed)
Airports
GVA · LYS
Nights
0–1

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Menthon St. Bernard: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
  • France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
  • France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
  • France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
  • France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
  • France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Menthon St. Bernard17 ▾
  • Police17
  • Fire and ambulance18
  • European emergency112

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Menthon St. Bernard, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee at a café€2–4 (≈ US$3–5)
  • BeerBeer (draught)€5–7 (≈ US$6–9)
  • Budget bedHotel double room (Le Palace de Menthon or similar), a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
  • Mid-range bedHotel double room (Le Palace de Menthon or similar), a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)
  • High-end bedHotel double room (Le Palace de Menthon or similar), a night, per room€300 (≈ US$350)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget €50 (≈ US$60) · Mid €100 (≈ US$120) · High €200 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Château de Menthon-Saint-BernardRoc de Chère National Nature ReserveLake Annecy waterfront
Airports
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)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    5°C (41°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    7°C (45°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    12°C (54°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    16°C (61°F)

  5. May

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    16°C (61°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    10°C (50°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    6°C (43°F)

Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Jul (8). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Menthon St. Bernard: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

5°C (41°F)

−2°C (28°F)

10 rd

Feb

7°C (45°F)

−1°C (30°F)

9 rd

Mar

12°C (54°F)

2°C (36°F)

10 rd

Apr

16°C (61°F)

5°C (41°F)

10 rd

May

20°C (68°F)

9°C (48°F)

12 rd

Jun

24°C (75°F)

13°C (55°F)

10 rd

Jul

27°C (81°F)

15°C (59°F)

8 rd

Aug

26°C (79°F)

15°C (59°F)

9 rd

Sep

22°C (72°F)

11°C (52°F)

9 rd

Oct

16°C (61°F)

7°C (45°F)

11 rd

Nov

10°C (50°F)

2°C (36°F)

11 rd

Dec

6°C (43°F)

−1°C (30°F)

11 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting 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.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Annecygo

Door to door: 20 min

Bus or car, about 15 min

Old town, canals and lake; combine with Menthon for a full day.

Chamonixgo

Door to door: 1 h 15 min

Car via A40, about 1 h

Mont Blanc views and cable cars; a day trip from Menthon.

Megèvego

Door to door: 1 h

Car via D909, about 45 min

Alpine village with shops and restaurants.

Morzine

caution

Door to door: 1 h 30 min

Car via A40 and D902, about 1 h 15 min

Ski resort; worth it only in winter.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Lakeside (Le Palace de Menthon area)

The only hotel cluster; quiet, lake views, 10 min walk to the castle.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
€50–80 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
Mid
€80–150 (≈ US$95–180) excl. bed
High
€150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Hotel double room (Le Palace de Menthon or similar)1 × 1 night × €180€180
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €100€200
Castle entry2 × €10 · check€20
Bus Annecy ↔ Menthon, one way2 × €3 · check€6
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge€41
Trip total≈ €224 per person per day, bed included€447≈ US$550

2026 estimate in euros; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee at a café€2–4 (≈ US$3–5)
Lunch menu (Le Chalet du Port)€18–28 (≈ US$25–35)
Beer (draught)€5–7 (≈ US$6–9)
Taxi Annecy → Menthon€25–35 (≈ US$30–45)
Bus Annecy → Menthoncheck€2–4 (≈ US$3–5)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Very safe. The main risk is slippery trails at Roc de Chère. Lake swimming has no lifeguard; check local signs.
  • 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.

Emergency numbers

Police
17
Fire and ambulance
18
European emergency
112

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Menthon St. BernardMenthon-Saint-Bernard

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police17
  • Fire and ambulance18
  • European emergency112

Embassy

The nearest consulate for most non-EU travellers is in Lyon or Geneva. Check your country's France page.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Bus Annecy → Menthon: about €2–4 (≈ US$3–5), about 15 min (check)
  • Taxi Annecy → Menthon: €25–35 (≈ US$30–45)

Say or show

  • Bonjour — Hello (bohn-zhoor)
  • Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
  • Combien ? — How much? (kom-byen)
  • Où est le château ? — Where is the castle? (oo ay luh shah-toh)
  • L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please (la-dee-syon, seel voo pleh)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Menthon St. Bernard. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (many places closed) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Castle opening hours and ticket prices field-checked for 2026.
  2. Roc de Chère trail conditions and entry rules verified.
  3. Le Palace de Menthon seasonal closure dates confirmed.
  4. Bus schedule Annecy ↔ Menthon St. Bernard with last departure.

Meanwhile

Back to France

Sources

Ask about Menthon St. Bernard

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