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!

Groups welcome all year round by reservation

OpeningsFrom 22/12/2024 to 27/04/2025
Opening hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday between 2 pm and 6 pm.
Guided tour on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm.
Closed Monday and Saturday.

Labels

Affiliation labels :

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)
- High school

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

To know

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

Tarifs

Fares	Min	Max
01/10/2024 - 31/08/2025
Adult	4.50€
Child (8-15 years)	3.50€
Group adults	3.50€
Group children	3.50€

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 :

Download

Flyer Vieille Douane 2024 (2.64 Mo)

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Lake Vonnes
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Secret operations at the Old Customs House (FR)
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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.