The Old Customs House

more pictures
    Châtel

    Open the door of Châtel’s Old Customs House to discover a different side to this cross-border region.

    Children and adults will enjoy a fascinating trip back in time, learning about the game of cat and mouse that went on between the smugglers and the customs officers (known as “gabelous”) in the mountains of the Portes du Soleil before the advent of winter sports. With lots of eyewitness accounts and a fascinating exhibition packed with documents and illustrations, the Old Customs House tells the story of a picturesque world full of surprises!

    New temporary exhibition: “Everything to declare!… from the customs office to the smuggling museum”.
    From its construction in the 1920s to the departure of the last gabelous in 2009 and the first visits to the interpretation centre, a lot has happened at the Châtel customs office! This unique temporary exhibition tells the anecdotes of the former gabelous who occupied these premises for almost a century!

    There are also activities on offer during the tourist season, including an investigation game for children, secret operations for the whole family and guided outings. There’s something for everyone!

    Read more

    Further information

    Groups welcome all year round by reservation (minimum 4 people).

    Cultural activities

    • Arts
    • History
    • Patrimoine-en
    • Discovery

    Services & Equipment & Activities

    • Children's entertainment
    • Temporary exhibition
    • Play area
    • Picnic area
    • Exhibition space
    • Coach access
    • Shop
    • Lift
    • Toilets
    • Parking
    • Guided tours
    • Educational visits
    Read more

    Customer base

    • Home school groups
    • Holiday Camps Home
    • Children from 6 to 12 years
    • Young people from 13 to 17 years old
    • Cycle 2: elementary School
    • Cycle 3: elementary school (CM1, CM2)
    • Cycle 3: college (6th)
    • Cycle 4: middle School
    • High school

    Opening

    From 17/12/2023 to 28/04/2024
    Opening hours between 2 pm and 6 pm.
    Schedules of guided tour on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm.
    Schedules of last entrance at 5.15 pm.
    Closed Monday and Saturday.

    From 16/06 to 21/06/2024
    Opening hours between 2 pm and 6 pm.
    Schedules of guided tour on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm.
    Schedules of last entrance at 5.15 pm.
    Closed Monday and Saturday.

    From 22/06 to 23/06/2024
    Opening hours between 10 am and 12 pm and between 2 pm and 6 pm.

    From 24/06 to 30/06/2024
    Opening hours between 2 pm and 6 pm.
    Schedules of guided tour on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm.
    Schedules of last entrance at 5.15 pm.
    Closed Monday and Saturday.

    From 02/07 to 31/08/2024
    Opening hours on Tuesday and Thursday between 10 am and 12 pm and between 2 pm and 6 pm. On Wednesday and Friday between 2 pm and 7 pm. On Sunday between 2 pm and 6 pm.
    Schedules of guided tour on Tuesday and Thursday between 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm. On Wednesday between 6 pm and 7 pm.
    Schedules of last entrance on Tuesday and Thursday at 11.15 am and at 5.15 pm. On Wednesday and Friday at 6.15 pm. at 5.15 pm.
    Closed Monday and Saturday.

    From 01/09 to 20/09/2024
    Opening hours between 2 pm and 6 pm.
    Schedules of guided tour on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm.
    Schedules of last entrance at 5.15 pm.
    Closed Monday and Saturday.

    From 21/09 to 22/09/2024
    Opening hours between 10 am and 12 pm and between 2 pm and 6 pm.

    Animals

    Animaux : Refused

    Adapted Tourism

    • Reception staff sensitized to the reception of people with disabilities
    • Accessible for self-propelled wheelchairs
    • Even flooring with no obstacles
    • Doors >=77 cm wide
    • WC + grab handle + adequate space to move
    • Site, building totally accessible

    Prices

    From 17/12/2023 to 28/04/2024
    Adult: 4.50 €
    Child : 3.50 €
    Group adults: 3.50 €
    Group children : 3.50 €.

    From 16/06 to 22/09/2024
    Adult: 4.50 €
    Child : 3.50 €
    Group adults: 3.50 €
    Group children : 3.50 €.

    Free entry for children < 8 years.
    Child entry valid for 8 - 15 years.
    Group rate available for > 10 people.

    Supplement for guided visit: €2/adult
    Family: €3.50 per person (1 adult + 1 child)

    Groups of adults or children on self-guided or guided tours (by reservation, min. 10
    people): €3.50.
    One accompanying adult free for every 10 children enrolled.

    Discounts with the Multi Pass (summer):
    Adult: €3
    Children (8-15yrs old): €2.50.

    Information for booking

    Supplement for guided visit: €2/adult Family: €3.50 per person (1 adult + 1 child) Groups of adults or children on self-guided or guided tours (by reservation, min. 10 people): €3.50. One accompanying adult free for every 10 children enrolled. Discounts with the Multi Pass (summer): Adult: €3 Children (8-15yrs old): €2.50

    Payment method

    • Carte bancaire
    • Chèque
    • Espèces
    • Credit transfer

    Location

    1277, route de Vonnes
    74390 Châtel

    Shuttle line 4, stop "Les Fioles". Parking nearby.

    Characteristics :

    • Mountain location
    • Ski resort
    • Waterside
    • Lakeside or by stretch of water
    • Close to a public transportation
    • Near shuttle stop
    • Village 2 km away
    • Lake view
    • Mountain view

    Spoken languages

    • German
    • English
    • French
    • Italian
    • Dutch