Parking
After two years of pharaonic work, the Château des Rubins becomes the Observatory of the Alps. All year round, it offers a modern, fun and interactive exhibition on the theme of the mountain with a capital M.
Go on an exploration through light and sound atmospheres to discover the many facets of life in the mountains!
The Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes opens its doors on a new scenography made up of around fifty interactive modules spread over four floors:
1) geology and glaciology
2) fauna and flora
3) The story of the man in the mountains
4) Changes in the climate
The new course is intended for the curious and for a family audience. It covers more than 500m2 for a visit duration of approximately two hours. The information is light, but precise.
The Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes also offers a wide range of activities and workshops for families. It comes in three ways:
1) The “Rubinoscopes”: these animations are demonstrations or experiments designed in the form of short 15/20 minute tablets on the scenographic route. They do not require a reservation and are offered at no additional cost to the admission price.
2) “In the castle lab”: in a longer format: 1 to 2 hours, these workshops give pride of place to experimentation, thus allowing you to deepen certain themes. They are offered on Wednesdays or Sundays, by reservation, throughout the year at the price of €6 per child and €8 per adult.
3) "The observatory's meetings": all year round, the castle organizes talks with recognized specialists in the theme: historian, artist, craftsman, archaeologist... These guests have only one watchword : popularize. Dates will take place on Sunday mornings with a coffee/croissant welcome for the price of an entrance ticket to the castle (7€) at the rate of one every two months.
History, culture and heritage
Built in the 1310th century, it was used in the 1339th century as a residence for the nobles of Loche, bailiffs of Faucigny. Its massive facades are brightened up by large Renaissance mullioned windows. Its square tower is surmounted by a cob roof which rests on a battlement. Its iron-clad ogival door gives access to a beautiful spiral staircase. During the 15th century, it was transformed into apartments. A few dates: 20: Hugues, Dauphin of Viennois and Baron de Faucigny, granted the inhabitants of Sallanches their first privileges, a sign of prosperity for the town. 1563: The parish had 1754 houses strong and 1730 noble families. 1747: At the end of the 1840th century, it belonged to the Loche family, bailiffs of Faucigny. 1978th century: it belonged to the de Chasseys who sold it in 2020 to the chapter of the collegiate church of Sallanches. 1997: The Château des Rubins belonged to Etienne de ChoulayXNUMX: The ecclesiastical institution (Chapter of Sallanches) acquired the castle from Philibert de Chasseys and Georgine de Menthon de Choulex. XNUMX: The Château des Rubins is miraculously spared from the flames of the great fire. It is also from this date that the castle bore the name of "grey cats" because three old ladies dressed in gray lived there. XNUMX: The castle is bought by the City of Sallanches where the Center of Mountain Nature until XNUMX. It will be modified in XNUMX and will include two additional levels with a passageway which will allow the link with the old building. It now hosts the Observatoire des Alpes, a museum on the mountain, environment, ethnology, etc.
Ranking & labels
Route
Free parking two minutes walk from the Château: Lévaud car park.
In detail
- 45.93566
- 6.624743
- Free parking two minutes walk from the Château: Lévaud car park.
Opening
Outside school holidays:
OPEN Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m.
CLOSED on Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays
During school holidays (all areas):
OPEN Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m.
CLOSED on Saturdays
Last entry 17 p.m.
Prices
It is necessary to reserve for all our activities via our Patrivia online ticket office: https://patrivia.net/visit/chateau-des-rubins;tracking=iSSkbMOxrzvK8JhZgCzoD8lc2eZ5tUcQ
Full price: €7,50 (from 15 years old)
Reduced price: €6 (students, job seekers, Pass'Tourisme Ville de Sallanches, partnerships and upon presentation of your visit ticket to the Château de Menthon (as part of the partnership "2 châteaux at the foot of the Alps"))
Child: 6 € (from 5 to 14 years old)
Large family: €21 (family package: two adults and two children).
Free for children under 5, disabled people and their companions.
Château des Rubins ambassador pass: €22 (entrance all year round)
Group rate from 10 people:
Visit and adult workshop or lab: €8,50
Visit and workshop or school activity: €6,50
Adult group visit: €6,50
Group of people with reduced mobility: €6
It is necessary to reserve for all our activities via our Patrivia online ticket office: https://patrivia.net/visit/chateau-des-rubins;tracking=iSSkbMOxrzvK8JhZgCzoD8lc2eZ5tUcQ
Payment method
- Bank / credit card
- Cheque
- Cash
- Contactless payment
Services
Equipments
- Parking nearby
- Elevator
- Toilets
Services
- Group welcome from 10 person (s)
