The historical roots of the chateau ultimately stretch back to 1904, when the American traveler and heiress Mary Wallace Shillito became enamored with the scenic beauty of the Avenières estate, with her father buying it for her later. Mary became the owner of the estate at 28. Shortly after, her father passed away, and she inherited the family fortune as the sole heir. With the help of her friend Marcelle Sénard, they would use her newfound wealth to develop the property. The project proved a positive development for the locals, creating jobs and attracting outside interest. While Mary financed the work, Marcelle oversaw the management. Construction of the chateau and the surrounding buildings began in 1907. The château itself was designed by architect Louis Guinot and later completed by Paul Morel following Guinot’s death. Eventually, Mary and Marcelle went their separate ways, and Mary continued overseeing the project on her own.

In 1913, Mary met Assan Farid Dina, a wealthy industrialist, and they married that same year. Dina became an active contributor to the estate, designing the gardens and building a chapel in 1917. Dina passed away in 1928, and Mary married Ernest Britt two years later in 1930. However, the marriage resulted in divorce seven years later after Britt mismanaged her wealth. Mary died in 1938 following an accident, and shortly afterward, the fully completed château was put up for auction.

The General Councilor of Savoie, Mr. Guillermin, purchased the estate and then auctioned off the furniture and artwork in the chateau. After half a year, he sold the property to Count François-Maurice de Sales, who restored its use as a private retreat for wealthy families from 1939 to 1941. During World War II, the estate took on a more humanitarian role when it became a refuge for Jewish children fleeing the conflict.

By 1949, the chateau was sold to the Oratorians of the College de Juilly, who converted the estate into a top-tier educational institution, lasting until 1970. It would then be purchased by Mr. Duvernay, who left it unused for years until the architect Mr. Hausermann acquired the estate in 1981. Hausermann had ambitious plans for a large-scale urban development, but was ultimately unsuccessful, leading to the estate being put up for sale again in 1994.

The chateau's current owners, the Odin family, took it as a challenge to restore the chateau to its former glory and transformed it into a luxury hotel and restaurant. Nicolas Odin was assisted by his wife Laurence , and later on their children Marius, Lucien, and Fantine in repairing and renovating the property. Through their efforts, Château des Avenières gained a reputation as a premier destination in the Annecy region’s luxury tourism scene.

In 2021, the two elder Odin children started an organic farming venture that would become the main supplier for the chateau’s Restaurant Le ‘M’. The chateau continues on today under the care of the Odin family, offering its brand of hospitality to its guests and visitors.

Design and Architecture

The construction of the Chateau took place around the time the Art Nouveau style of architecture and interior design was enjoying its peak popularity in Europe. This is evident in both the interior and exterior design of the property. Despite its multiple owners, it has largely retained the external features of the second phase of Art Nouveau, with its stylized external motifs, combinations of straight lines with organic shapes, and muted earthy colors for exterior surfaces. This style applies to both the main building itself and the Squirrels House structure, with the surrounding grounds and gardens also following this general aesthetic.

Inside, the château presents a more eclectic blend. While common spaces—such as Restaurant Le 'M' and the esoteric chapel—remain faithful to classic Art Nouveau, other parts of the interior lean toward modernist influences. Individual rooms and spaces like the outdoor pools are more blended, with Art Nouveau elements being more muted in favor of minimalist Mid-Century Modern designs. Furnishings alternate between curved, decorative pieces and more restrained, geometric designs, creating a balanced contrast between historic and contemporary aesthetics.

The Restaurant Le ‘M’ is set in a lavishly-decorated space inspired by 1920s design, with walls and windows boasting a clear view of the surroundings. This is a pleasant contrast with the culinary offerings provided, emphasizing the simple and locally sourced nature of the ingredients and dishes.

In 2021, the restaurant began relying on produce grown from an organic farming venture by the owners’ children. This venture provides the hotel with fruits and vegetables used to provide a healthy and organic dining experience. Depending on the season, guests may feast on delicious servings of veal cutlet, conchiglie stuffed with goat’s cheese, and a vegetarian entrée featuring spiced sweet potatoes.

Opening hours: (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, open from Wednesday to Sunday)
Wednesday - Thursday: 7:00 - 11:00 PM
Friday - Sunday: 12:00 - 4:30 PM, 7:00 - 11:00 PM

Reservations: Restaurant bookings can be made through the hotel's official website.

Chateau des Avenieres offers luxurious amenities that provide guests with opportunities to immerse themselves in the chateau grounds and surrounding areas. Electric bikes are available for rent to explore the estate’s grounds and venture into the scenic surroundings. One of the more well-known scenic spots is Mont Salève, a mountain known as the ‘Balcony of Geneva’. There are also heritage sites to visit, like the Salève Monastery or the Maison du Salève, with its exhibits, guided tours, nature trails, and even part of the Santiago de Compostela pilgrim route.

Alternatively, the chateau also offers a rental service for its electric DeVinci car, which guests can use for scenic drives to Lake Annecy and nearby areas. One of these interesting nearby locales is the Parc des Jardins de Haute-Savoie, a botanical garden only a 27-minute drive away along the shores of the Lac de la Balme. The garden features an impressive 40 different miniature gardens that represent the various landscapes and vast floral diversity of the broader Haute-Savoie area.