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Bleu Impérial

Inspiration

Bleu Impérial

the other brasserie
Jan. 2025
2 min.

Echoes of Bleus du Lac resonate throughout a new brasserie at the Imperial

A new brasserie at the Imperial, now managed by the Lake Annecy Tourism Office on behalf of Grand Annecy (the Greater Annecy Area), the winds of change blew in on November 28, 2024. C-Gastrominie, a Lyon subsidiary of the restaurant company Bocuse, was selected to operate the establishment.

The newly christened Bleu Impérial, the other brasserie, plans to win the hearts of Annecy locals with affordable meals made with products grown and raised in the area.

Bleu Impérial

© Monica Dalmasso

This change in management aligns with the Lake Annecy Tourism Office’s approach after taking over operations of the Imperial Palace’s convention center (“Centre de Congrès Impérial – Grand Annecy”) in 2022.

The ground-floor restaurant space itself underwent a complete renovation to offer a more compelling fit with the lakeside environment: the walls seem to disappear behind reproductions of several works by Gilles Giacomotti, a local artist from Annecy with an expertise in monochromatic painting who has made capturing the blue hues of the lake his signature. Reproductions of his series of paintings entitled, Les Bleus du Lac (“Lake Blues”), originally painted on wood, recreate the most spectacular vistas from one side of the lake to the other. The simple shades of blue reflect the color of the air, water, and the purity of nature herself. This décor contributes to magnifying the surrounding landscapes, blurring the line between indoors and out. Comfortable Majorelle blue booth seating, as well as tables made with solid wood that can accommodate up to twenty guests, round out the restaurant’s unique interior.

Bleu Impérial

© Monica Dalmasso

An affordable place for Annecy locals

The Greater Annecy Area worked hand in hand with C-Gastronomie to ensure that Annecy locals have the opportunity to enjoy a meal at this emblematic location: the affordable prices include a set main-course and dessert menu for €22.90, a weekly special for €15, and a kids’ meal for €15.90.

The restaurant also treats kids with a dedicated play space next to the main dining room, allowing parents to peacefully finish their lunch while keeping an eye on their little ones. Soon the restaurant will offer cooking classes for kids on Wednesday afternoons, and the magnificent brunch Bleu Impérial (a lavish buffet, cooking shows, and live music). Other events such as barbecue parties will also appear on the event schedule between now and spring.

This new restaurant clearly has what it takes to deserve a top spot on your list of great places to eat!

Bleu Impérial

© Monica Dalmasso

Bleu Impérial

Centre de Congrès Impérial – Grand Annecy

Allée de l’Impérial (ground floor at lake level) – ANNECY

Tel. +33 (0)4 50 18 09 91

 

Bleu Impérial

Imperial Palace, preserving the legacy of the Belle Epoque

Anchored along the shores of Lake Annecy since 1913, the Imperial Palace, a vibrant remnant of the Belle Epoque, retains its luster to this day.

It was built during an era when vacation hotels like the Beau Rivage in Sevrier or the Palace de Menthon flourished around the lake. The architect for the latter, built just a few years prior, in 1904, was hired to draw plans for the Imperial Palace Hotel.

René Leyvraz, owner of the Grand Hotel Verdun in Annecy, signed the contract after purchasing the lakeside property in 1912 with the goal of building a luxury hotel. To expedite construction, he offered a 100,000 franc bonus to the contractor to complete the project before July 14, 1913: seven floors, 8000 m² of floor space, and 1500 m² of rooftop.

Impérial Palace

© A. Gardet

Initially thought impossible to meet the schedule due to the unstable ground next to the lake, which required building the foundation on stilt supports, construction only took ten months.

Most of the materials came from the surrounding area and were transported to the construction site on the Esperance, a Latin-rig sailboat whose exact replica returned to service in 2021 thanks to the hard work and passion of a handful of enthusiasts.

In 1913, the ground floor and second floor were completed. The hotel opened its doors on July 14, with the remaining work continuing for another four years until final completion in 1918.

In spite of its splendor, the first few years proved tumultuous, with construction impacted by World War I, requisition of the hotel by the Germans in World War II to serve as a military hospital, then as headquarters for the Resistance, and then as a triage center for repatriated French prisoners of war, before finally serving once again as a luxury hotel.

Impérial Palace

© Municipal archives, City of Annecy

Through the beginning of the sixties, English lords, Belgian bankers, French aristocrats, and Italian princes stayed in the hotel on a regular basis.

A few of the more prestigious guests included future King George VI, Sacha Guitry, the Peugeot family, the Sultan of Egypt, the Bey of Tunis, the Sultan of Morocco, and many others of similar standing. In addition to the refined architecture and sumptuous interiors, everything was designed to ensure that the prestigious guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves: swimming, yachting, tennis, fishing, and of course music, with concerts by the era’s most talented orchestras.

Following the Second World War, Winston Churchill, Edith Piaf, as well as Charlie Chaplin stayed in the hotel. However, palace hotels like the Imperial declined in popularity after the glory years between the two world wars. The celebrated entertainment program never returned.

Impérial Palace

© Municipal archives, City of Annecy

Balancing heritage with modernity

By the end of the sixties, the City of Annecy acquired the hotel with the goal of preserving the historic site.

The building was renovated in the early eighties after a fire on October 26, 1981, destroyed the roof. Turned into a multi-purpose facility, it now houses a high-end hotel, a casino, and a high-tech convention center with its sights on growing business tourism.

In November 2022, the Lake Annecy Tourism Office took over managing and operating the “Centre de Congrès” (Convention Center).

Impérial Palace

© Municipal archives, City of Annecy

Top of page photo credit:

  • © Monica Dalmasso

Journalist: Aude Pollet Thiollier

Translation: Darin Reisman