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Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes
Mountain museum in a 14th-century medieval castle. 50 interactive modules spread across 500 m² and 4 floors dedicated to geology, fauna, flora, and the history of humans in the mountains.
Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
Type
Mountain Museum
Access
Paid
Price
From €7.50 (adult)
Duration
1 h 30 – 2 h
Best season
Year-round
Parking
Free (Lévaud parking 100 m away)
Town
Sallanches
What is Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes
The Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes is a municipal museum dedicated to the mountains, housed in a 14th-century medieval castle in Sallanches. Renovated and reopened in July 2021 after two years of construction, it offers modern and interactive scenography unique in Europe.
The museum route covers more than 500 m² spread across 4 floors and as many themes: geology and glaciology, fauna and flora, the history of humans in the mountains, and climate evolution. Around fifty interactive modules provide an immersive visit in a luminous and sound-rich atmosphere, with content presented in three languages (French, English, Italian).
Built in the 14th century, the castle has survived the centuries, escaping both the Revolution and the great fire of Sallanches in 1840. Purchased by the City in 1978, it first housed the Centre de la Nature Montagnarde (an environmental education association) from 1985 to 2019, before becoming the Observatoire des Alpes, a museum open year-round offering free visits, short animations (Rubinoscopes), family workshops (Au labo du château), and monthly talks with specialists.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Address
105 Montée des Rubins, 74700 Sallanches View on map
Opening hours
Outside school holidays: Wed/Thu/Fri/Sun 10am–6pm (last entry 5pm), closed Mon/Tue/Sat. During school holidays (all zones): Mon/Tue/Wed/Thu/Fri/Sun 10am–6pm (last entry 5pm), closed Saturday. Verified on official website 14 May 2026.Verified 14 May 2026
Admission prices
Full price (age 15+): €7.50. Reduced rate (5–15 years, students, job seekers, Sallanches Tourism Pass): €6.50. Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children): €23. Annual ambassador pass: €24. Free for under 5s and people with disabilities + 1 companion. Verified 14 May 2026.Verified 14 May 2026
Booking
Online ticketing at billetweb.fr/pro/chateaudesrubins. Purchase also available on-site (cash, card, cheque). Reservation required only for 'Au labo du château' workshops.Verified 14 May 2026
Parking
Free Lévaud parking 100 m from the castle (follow signage). Direct disabled access from parking via lift (on request).
Accessibility
Castle fully accessible by wheelchair via lift from parking (access from parking side, on request). Two rooms not wheelchair-accessible. Dark and sound-rich ambiances may be uncomfortable for some hypersensitive individuals.
Contact
Tel. 04 50 90 83 03 · rubins@sallanches.fr
Duration
Self-guided visit: approximately 2 hours. Group visit: 1 h 30.
Access
How to get there
By car
From Annecy (45 min) or Geneva (45 min), take motorway A40 exit 20 towards Sallanches. Follow 'Château des Rubins' or 'Lévaud parking'. Free parking 100 m away.
Open in MapsBy bike
Bike access via the green path cycle route Sallanches–Combloux (V61). Bike parking near Lévaud parking.
Open in MapsWhen to visit
When to visit
Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes is open year-round with varying hours depending on school periods (more days open during school holidays). The indoor visit suits all seasons and is ideal in bad weather. 'Au labo du château' workshops and 'Observatory Meetings' are scheduled throughout the year, mainly on Wednesdays and Sundays. In summer, enjoy free guided tours with your entrance ticket every Tuesday of summer holidays at 3pm. The shop follows the same hours as the castle.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I book Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes?
The online ticketing for Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes is at billetweb.fr/pro/chateaudesrubins. You can also buy tickets on-site (cash, card, cheque). Reservation is required only for 'Au labo du château' workshops.
What is the admission price for Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes?
The adult admission price (age 15+) for Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes is €7.50. Reduced rate (5–15 years, students, job seekers): €6.50. Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children): €23. Free for under 5s and people with disabilities + 1 companion. Verified 14 May 2026.
What are the opening hours of Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes?
Outside school holidays, Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes is open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm (last entry 5pm). During school holidays (all zones), open Monday to Friday and Sunday, 10am–6pm. Closed Saturday year-round. Verified on official website 14 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
Is Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes is accessible to people with reduced mobility via a lift directly from Lévaud parking (access from parking side, on request). Two rooms are not wheelchair-accessible. Disabled parking available at the entrance.
Where can I park when visiting Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes?
Free Lévaud parking (or Boules Court parking) is located 100 m from Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes. Follow 'Lévaud parking' signage. Disabled spaces available near the entrance.
What are the Rubinoscopes at Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes?
The Rubinoscopes are short 15-minute science animations led by mediators at Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes, in the spirit of accessible popular science. Included in your entrance ticket, no extra charge or reservation needed (except during high attendance, minimum 10 people).
How long should I allow for a visit to Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes?
A self-guided visit to Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes takes approximately 2 hours to explore the 4 floors and 50 interactive modules. Group visits last about 1 h 30. Allow extra time for the shop and Rubinoscopes animations.
Does Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes offer activities for children?
Yes, the scenography at Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes was designed for families with dedicated children's spaces suitable from ages 4–5: animal track recognition areas, interactive modules adapted for all ages. 'Au labo du château' workshops available by reservation.
Sources
Sources & verification
Multi-source verification at publication date. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.