Chateau Menthon

The weather wasn't so good today, so this afternoon HB and I went Chateau-hunting. We went along the lac to Chateau Menthon. Apparantly it's where Bernard de Menthon, of Saint Bernard fame - patron saint to Alpinistes and posthumously of the big shaggy mountain dogs - was raised in the 10th century, the Chateau belonging to his family. After waiting a very long time outside in the chilly air for the tour to start - which was in French - we finally got in and enjoyed seeing a perfectly well preserved chateau with so much history. It was great fun! Afterwards, we drove up one of the valleys towards col de la colombiere and bought a picnic tea in a little village, which we then enjoyed in front of an amazing green, quiet, mountain view. Lovely.