The Old Customs House

  • Savoie Mont Blanc Excellence
  • Empreintes
  • Visites en Chablais
  • Partenaire Geopark du Chablais
  • Savoie Mont Blanc Juniors
  • La Vieille Douane
  • La Vieille Douane
  • La Vieille Douane
  • La Vieille Douane
  • La Vieille Douane
  • La Vieille Douane
  • Exposition Tout à déclarer
  • Exposition temporaire à la Vieille Douane
  • Exposition temporaire à la Vieille Douane
  • Exposition temporaire à la Vieille Douane
  • Exposition temporaire à la Vieille Douane
  • Exposition temporaire à la Vieille Douane
  • Exposition temporaire à la Vieille Douane
  • Exposition temporaire à la Vieille Douane
  • Exposition permanente de la Vieille Douane à Châtel
  • Exposition permanente de la Vieille Douane à Châtel
  • Exposition permanente de la Vieille Douane à Châtel
  • Exposition permanente de la Vieille Douane à Châtel
  • Exposition permanente de la Vieille Douane à Châtel
  • Exposition permanente de la Vieille Douane à Châtel
  • Exposition permanente de la Vieille Douane à Châtel
  • Exposition permanente de la Vieille Douane à Châtel
  • Exposition permanente de la Vieille Douane à Châtel
  • Intérieur de la Vieille Douane à Châtel
  • Intérieur de la Vieille Douane à Châtel - Balance
  • Intérieur de la Vieille Douane à Châtel
  • Intérieur de la Vieille Douane à Châtel
  • Intérieur de la Vieille Douane à Châtel
  • Intérieur de la Vieille Douane à Châtel
  • La Vieille Douane
  • La Vieille Douane
  • La Vieille Douane
  • Animation pour les enfants à la Vieille Douane
  • Animation pour les enfants à la Vieille Douane
  • Animation pour les enfants à la Vieille Douane
  • Animation pour les enfants à la Vieille Douane
  • La Vieille Douane
  • La Vieille Douane
  • La Vieille Douane
  • La Vieille Douane
  • La Vieille Douane
  • La Vieille Douane
  • La Vieille Douane
  • La Vieille Douane
La Vieille DouaneLa Vieille DouaneLa Vieille DouaneLa Vieille DouaneLa Vieille DouaneLa Vieille DouaneExposition Tout à déclarerExposition temporaire à la Vieille DouaneExposition temporaire à la Vieille DouaneExposition temporaire à la Vieille DouaneExposition temporaire à la Vieille DouaneExposition temporaire à la Vieille DouaneExposition temporaire à la Vieille DouaneExposition temporaire à la Vieille DouaneExposition permanente de la Vieille Douane à ChâtelExposition permanente de la Vieille Douane à ChâtelExposition permanente de la Vieille Douane à ChâtelExposition permanente de la Vieille Douane à ChâtelExposition permanente de la Vieille Douane à ChâtelExposition permanente de la Vieille Douane à ChâtelExposition permanente de la Vieille Douane à ChâtelExposition permanente de la Vieille Douane à ChâtelExposition permanente de la Vieille Douane à ChâtelIntérieur de la Vieille Douane à ChâtelIntérieur de la Vieille Douane à Châtel - BalanceIntérieur de la Vieille Douane à ChâtelIntérieur de la Vieille Douane à ChâtelIntérieur de la Vieille Douane à ChâtelIntérieur de la Vieille Douane à ChâtelLa Vieille DouaneLa Vieille DouaneLa Vieille DouaneAnimation pour les enfants à la Vieille DouaneAnimation pour les enfants à la Vieille DouaneAnimation pour les enfants à la Vieille DouaneAnimation pour les enfants à la Vieille DouaneLa Vieille DouaneLa Vieille DouaneLa Vieille DouaneLa Vieille DouaneLa Vieille DouaneLa Vieille DouaneLa Vieille DouaneLa Vieille Douane

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!
Groups welcome all year round by reservation
OpeningsFrom 22/10 to 05/11/2023
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 Wednesday and Thursday between 3.30 pm and 4.30 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. On Sunday at 5.15 pm.
Closed Monday and Saturday.

From 17/12/2023 to 28/04/2024
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 Wednesday and Thursday between 3.30 pm and 4.30 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. On Sunday at 5.15 pm.
Closed Monday and Saturday.
Closed exceptionally on January 1st and December 25th.
Labels
  • Affiliation labels :
    • Savoie Mont Blanc Excellence
    • Empreintes
    • Visites en Chablais
    • Partenaire Geopark du Chablais
    • Savoie Mont Blanc Juniors
Practical informations
  • Visits :
    • Average individual visit length (minutes) 60
  • Tour language(s) :
    • French
  • Audio-guide language(s) :
    • French
    • English
    • Dutch
  • Documentation language(s) :
    • German
    • English
    • French
    • Italian
    • Dutch
  • Accessibility criteria for people with reduced mobility :
    • 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
  • Accessible tourism :
    • Reception staff made aware of the importance of welcoming people with disabilities
  • Client profile :
    • Client profile
    • Client profile
    • Client profile
    • Client profile
    • Client profile
    • Client profile
    • Cycle 3: elementary school (CM1, CM2)
    • Cycle 3: college (6th)
Features / Thematic
  • Type of culturel patrimony :
    • Interpretation Centre
  • themes :
    • Folk art and traditions
Services/Visits
  • Parking :
    • Parking
  • Individual tour services :
    • Unguided individual tours available permanently
    • Guided individual tours on request
  • Group tour services :
    • Guided group tours on request
  • Interior facilities :
    • Lift
    • Toilets
  • Cultural leisure facilities :
    • Exhibition space
  • Help for client/transport :
    • Coach access
  • Shop :
    • Shop

Tarifs

FaresMinMax
22/10/2023 - 05/11/2023
Adult4.50€
Child (8-15 years)3.50€
Group adults3.50€
Group children3.50€
17/12/2023 - 28/04/2024
Adult4.50€
Child (8-15 years)3.50€
Group adults3.50€
Group children3.50€
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 :
    • Bank/credit card
    • Cheque
    • Cash
    • Credit transfer
We also suggest...
Contact us
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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  • Spoken language(s) :
    • French
    • English

Location

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