The Old Customs House
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!
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 01/07 to 31/08/2025 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.
Last entrance on Tuesday and Thursday from 11.15 am and from 5.15 pm. On Wednesday and Friday from 6.15 pm. On Sunday from 5.15 pm.
Guided tour on Wednesday between 6 pm and 7 pm. On Tuesday and Thursday between 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm. On Monday and Friday.
Guided tours on reservation.
From 02/09 to 19/09/2025 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday between 2 pm and 6 pm.
Last entrance on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 5.15 pm.
Guided tour on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm.
Guided tours on reservation.
From 20/09 to 21/09/2025 between 10 am and 12 pm and between 2 pm and 6 pm.
European Heritage Days = free admission.
Last entrance on Tuesday and Thursday from 11.15 am and from 5.15 pm. On Wednesday and Friday from 6.15 pm. On Sunday from 5.15 pm.
Guided tour on Wednesday between 6 pm and 7 pm. On Tuesday and Thursday between 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm. On Monday and Friday.
Guided tours on reservation.
From 02/09 to 19/09/2025 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday between 2 pm and 6 pm.
Last entrance on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 5.15 pm.
Guided tour on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm.
Guided tours on reservation.
From 20/09 to 21/09/2025 between 10 am and 12 pm and between 2 pm and 6 pm.
European Heritage Days = free admission.
Labels
- Affiliation labels :
- Criteres internes :
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 - 21/09/2025 | ||
| 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
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 :
We also suggest...
Contact us
The Old Customs House
1277, route de Vonnes
74390
Châtel
Phone : +33 4 50 71 75 11
Phone : +33 4 57 26 90 04
- Spoken language(s) :
Location
Shuttle line 4, stop "Les Fioles".
Parking nearby.
Parking nearby.
Additional location
- Mobility :
- Near shuttle stop