The Old Customs House

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!

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.

Pets allowed

Pets not allowed