Many painters have tried to convey the majesty of Lake Annecy, drawn to it by its picturesque setting and tiara of green, peaked mountains, yet perhaps the most successful among them was Paul Cézanne. He managed to perfectly capture the lake’s timeless serenity, and indeed, nothing much seems to have changed in well over a century. Those deep glassy waters are just the same as when he sat and put brush to palette, on whose shores lies the stately four-star Palace De Menthon, a gleaming white vision of serenity and decadence.
Despite its name, my boyfriend and I weren't actually expecting a palace – and yet as we sailed across the glassy waters of the Lac d’Annecy, the Palace De Menthon was every bit as regal as any palace I had ever seen. The décor, although paying homage to the building's classic style and history, had a paired back, modern quality to it that was unexpected and refreshing. The light streaming in through the tall windows, illuminating the lofty ceilings, was made the most of, with clean lines and soft, pale tones accentuated by splashes of vivid colour.
Our room was refreshingly airy and stylish too - the panoramic view of Lake Annecy is the real star of the show here, and from comfort of the enormous double bed we were able to watch the glistening waters dance beyond our window pane. I was particularly pleased to see we had a lovely big bathtub to soak in after a long day's walking or cycling; the striking natural beauty of the surrounding area lends itself wonderfully to outdoor activities and we wanted to make the most of exploring it!
That night we had a perfect romantic supper at the Viù Restaurant overlooking the moonlit lake, gleaming silver on velvet black, we toasted to an idyllic romantic escape. Perhaps thanks to the fresh air or the long day (or indeed the wine) I had the best night’s sleep in a long time. The next morning after a wonderful breakfast, we both indulged in the spa. Flitting between dazing in the hot tub and soaking off in the perfectly heated pool, all the while being treated to incredible picture-perfect views of the lake.
Lake Annecy´s incomparable beauty makes it ideal for slow, drawn out walks. We spent a lot of time meandering through the town and admiring the sights; little houses painted in bright colours perched precariously on the edge of the Canal du Thiou and small, quaint shops and cafés create a charming atmosphere as well as views that wouldn’t look out of place on a postcard.
Being surrounded by natural beauty and breathtaking views, it is only hotel on the banks of Lake Annecy, with 300 meters of shoreline accessible from the private 6-acre park.
The fine dining at the cosy Restaurant du Palace.
The wonderful relaxation area with sauna, steam room and a very large heated pool.
The vast array of activities in the area including water sports, hiking, cycling, golf and visiting the historical centre of Annecy.
