The castle of Menton-Saint-Bernard, towering majestically over Lake Annecy, is a fortified outpost, the construction of which lasted 900 years since the Middle Ages.
This historic building is one of the finest on Lake Annecy and in the French Alps. Menton is a secret place with a thousand-year history passed down by 23 generations of the same family. Some even claim that the magical charm of Menton Castle influenced Walt Disney when he painted Sleeping Beauty Castle.
In the distant 10th century, on a high cliff overlooking the ancient Romanesque road and Lake Annecy, a wooden guard post was built, which existed for quite a long time.
At the beginning of the 11th century, Bernard of Menton was born here, who later founded an orphanage on the Great Saint Bernard Pass and was canonized.
At the end of the 12th century, the noble family de Menton settled here, which still lives in the castle. Its origin is uncertain; presumably from Burgundy. After their arrival, three large square towers were erected in place of the old wooden fortifications. Thus, the outpost turned into a fortified castle, the first mention of which dates back to 1249.
Château de Menton is the birthplace of Saint Bernard, the patron saint of climbers. According to legend, it was in the de Menton family in 1008 that Saint Bernard of Aosta was born, the patron saint of the Alps and climbers, who dedicated his life to the safety of travelers on the Alpine passes.
