HomeCottage BiseHistory

Along the water, through time,
immerse yourself in history  of the Bise family 

As much as a history, it is a dynasty, a name that has blown over Talloires Bay for almost a century with its family tree, 
its talented descendants, its traditions and its entrepreneurial spirit handed down from generation to generation. 
When it comes to history, it's impossible to separate the Bise family of the Cottage from those of the nearby Auberge, since they are cousins as well as neighbours.



17 may1903

François Bize (the spelling of the first official acts) filed a request to the mayor of Talloires to open a bar with his wife, Marie, on the small plot of land with a chalet which they owned. They had two sons, Marius followed by Georges. Then began the Bise history.


Year1929

The Bise father renamed the restaurant “L’Auberge du Père Bise” while on his side, at a very short distance from the lake, Georges and his son Fernand also took hold of their own destiny and likewise marked the history of the village of Talloires. In their own way.


The1930s

Under the auspices of George, the youngest son, and his wife, the Cottage des Marronniers was founded on the family property at just a few meters from the Bise father’s inn.

Having a strong character and the soul of a "chef", Georges became over the years an emblematic culinary figure of Talloires. Great world leaders and also from the League of Nations were usual guests and made the Cottage des Marronniers "the place to be and eat." Talloires then became a well-known address and a popular resort for Swiss senior officials and international figures.


Year1947

The family’s land was too small to meet Georges Bise’s guests’expectations. By acquiring 1 hectare and a half on the lake’s shore, next to to the Bise father’s inn, he finally had the space he needed to expand his business. One of his sons, Fernand, displayed an enthusiastic passion for the family business. Bright, but atypical, he abandoned the Hotel School of Paris for a less sacred but just as noble path of learning…

Point, the Claridge, The Savoy in London, Taillevent, The Carlton In Cannes saw him pass through their kitchens. Experienced and still passionate for the family business, he returned to Talloires to perfect his training "on the field" for 11 years with his wife Céline in the Bise manner.


The1960s

above the bay of Talloires shined a true constellation of stars, unique in France… that bore the village to the firmament of gastronomy.


Year1968

Georges died in the spring on 23rd April. Fernand then immediately took over the reins of the family kitchen, both literally and figuratively.

Behind the kitchen pianos, he perpetuated the 2 stars obtained by his father and gradually expanded the walls of the establishment. With one idea in mind: modernize the Cottage Bise without betraying the"family and friendly" spirit which had made its reputation.

With Fernand, the art of hospitality was at its peak. Multilingual and accustomed to big hotels and wealthy clients, he knew how to receive royal or industrial families, film stars and scholars with ease. From Rainier and Grace of Monaco to the Duke of Bedford and not to mention John Rockefeller and Dupont de Nemours, he made Talloires one of the references for the elite and who’s who.


And since the1990s

A new "wind” has blown on Talloires and has brought its stone to the foundation. Jean-Claude, Fernand’s son, studied at the Lausanne Hotel School from 1981 to 1985. He then had his first experiences with prestigious names:”Hôtel de Ville de Crissier”, under Chef Girardet and the Mandarin Oriental in Geneva, two popular Swiss establishments among food lovers.

At the head of the Cottage Bise since 1992 with his wife Christine and their son Nicolas who came in 2016, he and his family strive to keep the family and friendly spirit intact which made the estate’s fame while providing an essential modernity and a standard of comfort to seduce an increasingly demanding clientele. Major construction work, expansion of the terrace, renovation of the rooms, creation of the pool in 1993, seminar rooms that have been tailored to new technologies…

A lot of improvement and work takes place every year. It is without doubt one of Cottage Bise’s fountains of youth: never quite the same, yet never quite different and always in the spirit of the times.

A Lake Annecy Hotel Constantly Reinvented

As the years go by, rather than simply weathering the passage of time, Cottage Bise — a 4-star hotel in Talloires — turns it to its advantage. Year after year, our luxury hotel on the shores of Lake Annecy reinvents itself without ever abandoning the essence of what makes it so successful. Though undeniably a luxury establishment, our hotel near Annecy finds its elegance in simplicity rather than extravagance, drawing from its exceptional surroundings instead of trying to outshine them. Here, at our lakeside Spa hotel and restaurant on Lake Annecy, luxury is found just as much within the historic walls of our building as it is outside, in the lush natural setting where the Bise family has been crafting and rekindling life’s pleasures for generations.

From renovations to expansions, our lakeside hotel does more than just withstand the passage of time — it embraces the joy and opportunities that each era brings. This is the very DNA of the hotel, traits inherited from the Bise family, long-time owners of this iconic establishment nestled in the bay of Talloires. More than just iconic, over the centuries, Cottage Bise has earned its place among the prestigious and luxurious hotels that surround Lake Annecy. It has secured and maintained that standing by offering its loyal guests exceptional services — and by introducing exciting new experiences every year.


Spa, Restaurant, Hotel near Annecy — and So Much More

Just a few kilometers from Annecy, our 4-star hotel Cottage Bise embraces modernity without ever letting go of its timeless charm. In our hotel by Lake Annecy, from the rooms to every shared space, antique pieces sit harmoniously alongside state-of-the-art amenities. The historic building is carefully renovated piece by piece to preserve its freshness while constantly enhancing the experience of staying by the lake — something our guests love to discover and rediscover, often as a family. And it’s precisely because it’s family-run that Cottage Bise is such a special place for family holidays. Here, you feel at home. The people who catered to your every need during your last stay are the same ones taking care of you today. The hotel staff is like one big family, and they love making each guest feel part of it — if only for a weekend or a lakeside getaway.


Les Terrasses du Cottage, Spa Eugénie, Lounge Bar, Boat Bar, Bungal’eau… 

To describe our hotel merely as "4-star" might just be an understatement, given the exceptional range of experiences we offer near Lake Annecy. From gourmet lakeside dining in the Bay of Talloires to total relaxation in our Spa & wellness facilities, Cottage Bise elevates every moment with a variety of spaces and activities that enrich your sense of escape. More than just a hotel near Annecy, it’s also a sought-after venue for weddings, private events, or corporate retreats. Quite simply, it’s the hotel of your dreams — ready to bring to life all your desires, whether you're here for a romantic escape, a family holiday, a trip with friends, or even a professional gathering.