On the edge of the French Alps, between Lake Annecy in the North and Chambery to the South, the three star Hotel Blanc is located in a quiet village. It’s ideally placed to explore the Albanais region and venture into the alpine mountains of the Bauges National Park. If you’re travelling to Italy, then it’s a good stopover. Completely refurbished in 1999, its 23 rooms are spacious and modern. Mine even has a little terrace outside complete with tables and chairs, backing onto the fields behind.
It’s been owned by the husband and wife team of Denyse and Denis Blanc for more than 20 years and Denyse is front of house while Denis is in the kitchen. In fact that’s the main reason for visiting as he prides himself on sourcing everything locally and cooking seasonally. There’s also a new spa complex on the other side of the road complete with Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. If you’re feeling energetic you can work out at the fitness centre. I content myself with lounging by the small pool.
I’m looking forward to the food, and it’s warm enough to sit outside on the terrace. The menu has frog’s legs, more unusual these days then you might think in France, and I’m told they come from the nearby lake. I’m tempted but I choose the foie gras instead, particularly as it’s listed as a ravioli with truffle oil. In fact it’s more like a Chinese wonton floating in a consommé of duck flavoured with the truffle, topped with slices of shitake mushroom and none the worse for that.
I choose turbot for the next course which comes in langoustine sauce with small vegetables including carrots, peas, beans, spring onion and mange tout. A spaghetti flavoured with squid ink is an excellent accompaniment. As you’d expect the cheese course includes three local varieties, tomme du savoie, beaufort and reblochon and can’t be faulted.
Finally I get their version of lemon meringue pie, which consist of lemon mousse on a biscuit base, topped with small space invader meringue bombs and surrounded by exotic fruits. It’s very good indeed. The same also applies for the breakfast which features a range of cheese and cured meats as well as the usual French bread and patisseries.
There’s ample parking here and a lift service to the rooms on the upper floor.
Hotel Blanc is part of Logis Hotels.
Hotel*** Blanc
90 Avenue Sindeldorf
74150 Marigny Saint Marcel
+33 4 50 01 09 50
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