The Old Customs House

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Presentation

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!

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

OpeningsFrom 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.

OpeningsFrom 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.

Labels

Criteres internes :

Practical informations

Services :
- 10 people min per group
- 23 people max per group
Accessibility criteria for people with reduced mobility :
- Accessible for self-propelled wheelchairs
- Site, building totally accessible
- WC + grab handle + adequate space to move
- Even flooring with no obstacles
- Doors >=77 cm wide
Documentation language(s) :
- English
- French
- Dutch
- German
- Italian
Tour language(s) :
- French

To know

Bons plansIn Summer : 30% discount with a valid Multi Pass

Tarifs

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.

Payment methods :

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We also suggest...

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Guided tour of the Old Customs House
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The Old Customs House
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The Old Customs House

1277, route de Vonnes

74390

Châtel

mail / message

Phone : +33 4 50 71 75 11

Phone : +33 4 57 26 90 04

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Location

Situation map

See The Old Customs House on GoogleMaps

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

Additional location

Environments :
- Near shuttle stop
- Mountain location
- Ski resort
- Village < 2 km away
- Waterside
- Lakeside or by stretch of water
- Close to a public transportation
Parking :
- Parking