21 december > 26 april

Guided tour of the Old Customs House

  • Cultural
  • Guided tour
  • Historic
Elevation : 1200m
La Vieille Douane, 1277, route de Vonnes, 74390 Châtel
Let us tell you about the sometimes incredible adventures of the customs officers and smugglers of yesteryear.
The old customs house has been converted into a cultural tourist attraction, showing visitors a different side to this border region. Children and adults will find this 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. Packed with anecdotes, local witness accounts and customs archives, the Old Customs House provides a picturesque, entertaining and richly documented and illustrated account of our local history. And there are lots of surprises in store!

New temporary exhibition: "The Old Customs House celebrates its 10th anniversary".
From its construction in the 1920s to the departure of the last customs officers in 2009 and the first visits to the interpretation centre, a lot has happened at the Châtel customs house! For the 10th anniversary of its opening, the Old Customs House has many surprises in store for you, as well as a brand new temporary exhibition looking back at the history of the building and the brigade that occupied these premises!

Groups are welcome all year-round on advanced booking.

Outside the guided tour times, the Old Customs House is open to the public.

Groups: minimum 10 people, by reservation only.

For groups, visits possible all year round by prior arrangement.

Guided tour Tuesday to Thursday, 3:30 to 4:30 pm during opening hours, by prior arrangement.

Outside guided tour times, the Old Customs House is open to the public.

By reservation, a minimum of 4 people is required for the tour to take place.

Services

Services

Disabled access
Accessibility
Animals accepted

Accessibility

Accessibility

Accessible for self-propelled wheelchairs

Documentation

Documentation

Rates

Rates

From 19 October 2025 to 26 April 2026

From 19 October 2025 to 26 April 2026
Adult
€6.50

Child
€3.50

Group adults
€3.50

Group children
€3.50

Payment methods

Payment methods

Payment methods

CheckCheck
CashCash

Groups (Max capacity)

Groups (Max capacity)
  • 23 Maximum number of people

Opening times

Opening times

From 21 December 2025 until 26 April 2026

From 21 December 2025 until 26 April 2026
Tuesday
15:30 - 16:30

Wednesday
15:30 - 16:30

Thursday
15:30 - 16:30

Location

Location

Guided tour of the Old Customs House
Elevation : 1200m
La Vieille Douane, 1277, route de Vonnes, 74390 Châtel

Spoken languages

Spoken languages
  • French

Environment

Environment
  • Lakeside or by stretch of water
  • Mountain location
  • Ski resort

Access

Access
  • Parking with place for disabled person.
    Stop shuttle nearby: Vonnes stop on line 4 in winter and line 2 in summer.
Updated on 09 December 2025 at 11:56
by Châtel Tourisme
(Offer identifier : 5124283)
Close
Filter search
Page types
  • All
  • Articles
  • Agenda
  • Lists
Aucun résultat