We spent 7 weeks in this lovely and spacious home. The location of this home is excellent, especially for hikers. There are several trails down into Talloires leaving from the driveway and other trails up the mountain to St. Germain and Ponnay. You can easily walk to Roc de Chère and to Château-de-Menthon. The walk into Talloires on trails takes approximately 15 minutes, and was not too difficult for our children (ages 10 and 7). The benefit of being a short distance from the center of Talloires is that the location is very quiet and the house has more modern amenities than other homes in town. The long driveway and beautiful landscaping provides a feeling of privacy.
Inside, the house is larger than the pictures might suggest. The house is tidy, with spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains. For a family of 4, we had plenty of space, including a mezzanine above the family room, multiple bathrooms, and an outdoor porch where we ate most of our meals. The kitchen is bright, clean, and well-equipped, including a large refrigerator, oven and stovetop, microwave, dishwasher, and espresso/coffee machine. Having a washer and dryer was wonderful (and for Americans traveling to France, it might be helpful to know that it is not common to have a clothes dryer in a rental house). Because we were away for such a long time, we needed to be able to work from the house. The internet connection was reliable and fast. For example, we were able to Skype into meetings and watch videos streamed online. Our children appreciated that there were toys, puzzles, books, and games for rainy days.
The owner, Yves Garcier, was an exceptional host--kind and welcoming. He met us the first day and was gracious when our arrival was delayed for several hours. His directions, information, about the house and preparations for the rental were thorough and helpful. We were always able to contact him with questions, and he responded promptly.
We visited in the early summer, and there were ample activities for families and outdoor enthusiasts including hiking, bicycling, running, paragliding, swimming and boating, and an adventure ropes course. There are many nearby outdoor markets with fresh produce, olives, cheese, bread, and clothing. There are several grocery stores nearby in Talloires and Menthon. The drive to Annecy takes about 15 minutes, and likewise, the drive to Thones is also about 15 minutes. Driving to Geneva takes approximately 1 hour.