Abbaye de Talloires

Abbaye de Talloires is a former Benedictine abbey on the eastern shore of Lake Annecy, in the commune of Talloires-Montmin in Haute-Savoie. It sits in the Bay of Talloires, one of the most scenic corners of the lake, surrounded by gardens with views across the water to the mountains beyond. The old monastic buildings now house a four-star hotel, but the site's history stretches back more than a thousand years.

How did an abbey end up here?

The story begins in the 11th century, when a Benedictine priory was established at Talloires. In 1018, Rudolf III, King of Burgundy, granted the estate at Talloires to monks from the abbey of Savigny, reportedly at the urging of his wife Ermengarde. From that point the site grew into a proper monastic community on the lakeshore.

In 1412, the priory of Saint-Jorioz was attached to Talloires by the antipope John XXIII, expanding the community's holdings. During the 17th century the priory underwent the Salesian reform, with François de Sales — bishop of Geneva and later canonised — personally involved in reorganising monastic life there. In 1674 the priory's status was elevated to that of a royal abbey.

What happened during the Revolution?

The calm was broken by the French Revolution. In 1792, revolutionary troops entered the Duchy of Savoy and ransacked the abbey — the building was damaged and its archive was burned along with it. A great deal of the record of Talloires' earlier centuries was lost in the process. It took until the late 19th century for the site to be rebuilt and repurposed, first as a private residence and eventually as a hotel.

What is Abbaye de Talloires today?

The former monastic buildings now operate as a four-star hotel with 37 rooms and suites. Some overlook the lake, others face the gardens, the cloister, or the village of Talloires itself. The layout still carries traces of its monastic past — stone walls, vaulted spaces, and an inner courtyard — even though the building's function has changed completely.

Set on the eastern shore of Lake Annecy, the hotel makes a convenient base for exploring the surrounding area, whether that means walking along the lakeshore, visiting nearby villages, or taking a boat out onto the water. The Bay of Talloires itself is considered one of the most attractive spots on the lake, facing the Tournette massif across the water.

Who has stayed here?

Over its decades as a residence and hotel, Abbaye de Talloires has hosted a number of well-known figures from the arts and politics. Visitors are said to have included the painter Paul Cézanne, the writer Mark Twain, and the composer Gabriel Fauré. Political guests reportedly included Winston Churchill and Richard Nixon, alongside figures from film such as actor Jean Reno.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Abbaye de Talloires originally? A Benedictine priory, later elevated to a royal abbey, founded in the 11th century following Rudolf III of Burgundy's 1018 grant of land to monks from Savigny.

Where exactly is it located? On the eastern shore of Lake Annecy, in the Bay of Talloires, within the commune of Talloires-Montmin in the Haute-Savoie department.

What happened to the abbey during the French Revolution? It was ransacked by revolutionary troops in 1792, and its archive was destroyed by fire.

What is it used for today? It is a four-star hotel with 37 rooms, housed in the former monastic buildings, with views over the lake and surrounding mountains.