Auberge du Père Bise

For well over a century L’Auberge du Père Bise has welcomed discerning guests to the shores of Lake Annecy. In 2017 the Bise family sold the inn, and the new owners oversaw a substantial renovation. Fortunately, the new owner is none other than Jean Sulpice, who was the youngest French chef ever to receive a MICHELIN Star — a man who knows his way around the seasons and ingredients of the Alps, as well as a thing or two about modern hospitality design, judging by the handsomely updated interiors.

The location in Talloires means it’s tranquil but not isolated, and with 23 rooms and suites it’s a touch larger than just a restaurant with rooms. Each unit is a little bit different, though all draw from the same family of restrained colors, and all seem comfortable mixing modern and retro design elements alongside an eclectic collection of art.

In fact the Auberge would be perfectly capable of standing on its own as a lodging, complete with a surprisingly substantial spa. Fortunately it doesn’t have to — it’s blessed with the lakeside Marius Bar & Terrace as well as the 1903 restaurant, named for the year of the Auberge’s foundation. And the main event, from a culinary perspective, is of course the eponymous restaurant Jean Sulpice, recipient of a pair of MICHELIN Stars as well as one Green Star.