How lucky we are to be able to welcome once again the man who will make children all over the world dream. As usual, Santa comes laden with gifts, so he needs a big house. It seems he’s at ease, since for the fifth time he’s honored us with his presence at the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard… just a stone’s throw from Annecy until January 3, 2026.
“Le Château du Père Noël”, one of the region’s most eagerly awaited Christmas markets
What better way to celebrate the magic of Christmas than in an enchanting setting like the heights of Lake Annecy? As well as offering you the chance to visit one of the region’s most beautiful châteaux, this year’s market places even greater emphasis on tradition and local crafts. A number of traditional stalls will be present: wooden games, handmade jewelry, Christmas groceries… everything is planned so that everyone can find what they’re looking for.
But that’s not all! Get out your skates and try your hand at sliding (and sliding) on the ice rink, the perfect place to forge memories as hard as the ice. The Château, meanwhile, will be decked out in lights, with light projections on its facade and exteriors for a unique immersive journey. We’ve also learned that Mother Christmas’s house will also be open for everyone to stop by and soak up the magic of Christmas.
All this activity and the fresh mountain air, it’s really tiring! But don’t panic, because there’s a whole host of food stalls on the château’s terraces, too, where you can recharge your batteries. From Savoyard specialities (with lots of cheese) to sweet treats, you’ll find it all.
A castle with a history worthy of the greatest fairy tales
Once again, Santa’s Castle will be delighting visitors to the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, one of our region’s most emblematic landmarks. Nestled on its rocky spur overlooking Lake Annecy for over 1,000 years, the castle has seen many twists and turns. A strategic link between France and Italy, the northern Alps have been a place of many wars, from the Romans to Napoleon’s troops. The heritage is immense, and this fabulous site is just as much a part of it as the town of Yvoire on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Originally built as a more austere medieval fortress, the château was transformed during the Renaissance and again in the 19th century, giving it the unique shape we know today. Since then, the site has even played host to a certain Walt Disney, who was vacationing in the area, and the castle is said to be the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty. Psssst… we hear that Santa Claus has just arrived! When magic takes hold of a place…
Le Château du Père Noël – November 14, 2025 to January 3, 2026
📍Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, Allée du Château, 74290 Menthon-Saint-Bernard
⏰Open daily: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 4pm to 11pm; and Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 11pm.
🎟️ Weekdays: children €3 / adults €5 and weekends: children €6 / adults €8
👉 More info