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Folklore
· Rhône-Alpes
· 1,251 m
-
La Vieille DouanePhoto: JF Vuarand
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: recruitment sessions for future customs officers, audio trails following in the footsteps of smugglers, secret missions for the whole family to undertake, guided tours… 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: recruitment sessions for future customs officers, audio trails following in the footsteps of smugglers, secret missions for the whole family to undertake, guided tours… There’s something for everyone!
Opening times
From 18/10 to 01/11/2026 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday between 2 pm and 5 pm. Closed on Monday and Saturday.From 20/12/2026 to 25/04/2027 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday between 2 pm and 6 pm. Closed on Monday and Saturday.
Closed exceptionally on January 1st and December 25th.
Dates to be confirmed.
From 13/06 to 25/06/2027 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday between 2 pm and 6 pm. Closed on Monday and Saturday.
Dates to be confirmed.
From 26/06 to 27/06/2027 between 10 am and 12 pm and between 2 pm and 6 pm.
Dates to be confirmed.
From 28/06 to 29/08/2027 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. Closed on Monday and Saturday.
Dates to be confirmed.
Price:
From 19/10/2025 to 01/11/2026Adult: 4.50 €
Child : 3.50 €
Group adults: 3.50 €
Group children : 3.50 €.
From 20/12/2026 to 07/11/2027
Adult: 4.50 €
Child : 3.50 €
Group adults: 3.50 €
Group children : 3.50 €.
Free entry for children under 8.
Child entry valid for 8 - 15 years.
Group rate available for 10 people or more.
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
During Heritage Days: free admission.
Coordinates
DD
46.256017, 6.840725
DMS
46°15'21.7"N 6°50'26.6"E
UTM
32T 333576 5124759
w3w
///pelvis.admire.durations
Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!
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The Old Customs House
1277, route de Vonnes
74390 Châtel
+33 4 57 26 90 04 E-mail: culture-et-patrimoine@mairiedechatel.fr
74390 Châtel
+33 4 57 26 90 04 E-mail: culture-et-patrimoine@mairiedechatel.fr
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User Questions