Impérial Palace, Annecy Travel Guide

The Impérial Palace, an iconic fixture in Annecy, stands as a testament to the elegance of the Belle Époque. Constructed in 1912 and opened on July 14, 1913, the hotel was envisioned by René Leyvraz as a luxury destination on the shores of Lake Annecy. The architect, Louis Ruphy, drew inspiration from 17th-century French chateaus, creating a symmetrical design with distinct rooflines.Initially, the Impérial Palace attracted crowned heads and celebrities, including future King George VI, the Sultan of Morocco, Winston Churchill, Edith Piaf, and Charlie Chaplin. The outbreak of World War I soon after its opening curtailed its early success, but the palace rebounded to become a glamorous destination in the interwar period. However, by the 1950s, the hotel faced financial difficulties, leading to its closure in 1965.The City of Annecy purchased the site in 1967, determined to preserve the building and its park for public use. A fire in 1981 damaged the structure, but a renovation project in the late 1980s, led by the Hopf group, restored the Impérial Palace as a modern hotel complex with a congress center and casino. Since August 1, 2013, the Savoyard hotel group PVG has owned the Société Gestionnaire de l'Hôtel-Casino-Centre de Congrès de l'Impérial Palace.Today, the Impérial Palace offers 90 rooms and 14 suites, a jazz bar, two restaurants, a spa, and a casino. The hotel also hosts various events, including the Impérial Annecy Festival in August, featuring jazz, classical music, and comedy performances. The meticulously maintained grounds provide a serene setting, making it a sought-after destination for both leisure and business travelers.