Paid
Bureau de la Montagne du Salève — Caving
Présilly
Guided caving outings on the Salève: discovery, families, stag/hen. Kit included, qualified guides. April-November.
Paid · Book online
Maison du Salève
An interpretation centre for the Salève massif in a former 18th-century farmhouse that belonged to the Chartreuse de Pomier: geology, wildlife, cable car.
At a glance
Type
Salève interpretation centre, former 18th-century farmhouse
Access
Paid
Price
Adult €6 · Youth €3 · Family €15 · Geneva Pass / Pass Empreintes free
Duration
1 hour (exhibition) to 2 hours (with film and trails)
Best season
All year round except 5 Jan - 1 Feb
Parking
Free, cars and coaches, 100 m away
Animals
Not allowed inside, garden accessible
Stroller / Reduced mobility
Accepted, wheelchair-accessible building
Town
Présilly
Wheelchair access
Accessible Source: Maison du Salève (site officiel)
💶
Price
Tarif normal adulte
6,00 €Exposition permanente, durée 1h
Tarif réduit
5,00 ۃtudiants, +65 ans, demandeurs d'emploi, RSA, CNAS
Jeune 6-18 ans
3,00 €Tarif jeune
Personne en situation de handicap
3,00 €Sur justificatif
Entrée famille (2 ad + jusqu'à 4 jeunes)
15,00 €Forfait familial
Tarif partenaires (carte GIA, CA, CNAS)
5,00 €Sur présentation de la carte
Animation enfant
6,00 €Selon animation (6 ou 8 €)
Exposition temporaire dès 3 ans
3,00 €Tarif unique exposition temporaire
Groupe adultes ≥10 pers.
6,50 €7 € pour <15 pers., 1 gratuit pour 20 payants, chauffeur gratuit
Forfait scolaire / centre de loisirs - animation nature
120,00 €Par classe
Forfait scolaire - animation créative
135,00 €Par classe
Forfait anniversaire
160,00 €15 enfants maximum
What is Maison du Salève
The Maison du Salève is the interpretation centre dedicated to the Salève massif, the emblematic mountain of the French Genevois that peaks at 1,379 m and dominates the Lake Geneva basin. It sits at the foot of the massif in Présilly, in an 18th-century farmhouse historically attached to the Chartreuse de Pomier, and is run by the Syndicat Mixte du Salève.
The permanent exhibition 'Le Salève, une montagne et des hommes' retraces the geology of the massif (limestone shaped by karst erosion), early human presence (Magdalenian remains from the Paleolithic), the historic transport links including the famous Salève cable-car, the rise of mountain sports (climbing from the 19th century, hiking, paragliding, mountain biking) and the fauna and flora of the range. Panoramic films, interactive displays and discovery trails round off the visit.
Geneva Pass
Fares are accessible: adult €6, youth 6–18 €3, accessibility €3, family €15 (2 adults + up to 4 youths), free under 6. The Geneva Pass, Pass Empreintes and Pass Léman all give free entry. Unique loyalty bonus: visit once and come back free for a year with your ticket, accompanying a paying visitor.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Address
775 route de Mikerne, 74160 Présilly (former Mikerne farmhouse, 18th century, once part of the Chartreuse de Pomier) View on map
Coordinates
≈ 46.0608° N · 6.1311° E (to be confirmed on Géoportail)
Altitude
≈ 700 m (foot of the Salève massif)
Opening hours
February-June / September-December: Wed, Sat, Sun 2pm-6pm. School holidays (Zone A): Tue-Sun 2pm-6pm. July-August: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm. Closed Monday year-round, 1 May, first Sun. of September, 25 Dec, 1 Jan. 24 and 31 Dec 2pm-5pm. Annual closure 5 January – 1 February inclusive. Verified on the official website on 21 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
Booking
Online ticketing being rolled out. Currently: booking by phone on +33 (0)4 50 95 92 16 or email info@maisondusaleve.com. Verified on 21 May 2026.
Parking
Free for cars and coaches, 100 m before the House. Accessible parking spaces in front of the building.
Pets
Not allowed inside the House. Free-access garden on the same opening days, picnics allowed.
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible building. Staff trained and aware for visitors with mental or psychological disabilities. €3 rate on proof of eligibility. Verified on 21 May 2026.
Access duration
1 hour for the permanent exhibition, up to 2 hours with the film and trails
Contact
+33 (0)4 50 95 92 16 · info@maisondusaleve.com. Verified on 21 May 2026.
Access
How to get there
By car
From Annecy (≈30 min) via the A41, Saint-Julien-en-Genevois exit, then RD 1201 towards Présilly. From Geneva (≈25 min) via the A41, exit 13 Saint-Julien Sud, then D 1201 towards Annecy. 'Maison du Salève' signposted from Présilly. Free parking 100 m before.
Open in MapsPublic transport
LIHSA / Cars Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes line 272 Annecy ↔ Geneva via Pomier, stop 'Chartreuse de Pomier' ≈1 km on foot. Saint-Julien-en-Genevois train station 10 km away (10 min by car), Annecy train station 25 km away.
Open in MapsBy bike
Secondary roads from Saint-Julien-en-Genevois. Hilly route, moderate elevation gain. Informal bike parking on site.
Open in MapsWhen to visit
When to visit
Maison du Salève is mainly open from February to December, with a 4-week annual closure from 5 January to 1 February inclusive. The high season (July-August) offers extended hours Tuesday to Sunday 10am-6pm, ideal for combining the visit with a hike to the Chartreuse de Pomier or an ascent of the Salève. Outside summer, it's open Wednesday-Saturday-Sunday afternoons (2pm-6pm), plus Tuesdays during Zone A school holidays. The Geneva Pass and Pass Empreintes give free entry — a strong draw for Swiss visitors from the Lake Geneva basin. The 'return for free for 1 year' loyalty offer allows visitors to discover successive temporary exhibitions ('The Salève, a mountain full of resources' until June 2026, then 'Les Couloirs de la Nuit' from June 2026).
Events : Regular temporary exhibitions (currently: 'The Salève, a mountain full of resources'; next: 'Les Couloirs de la Nuit' from June 2026). Family nature activities all year round. Birthday parties by booking. Programme on maisondusaleve.com.
Nearby
Where to eat, drink, stay
Photos
Gallery
Been there? Share your photos — we'll add them to this page with credit. Tag #loisirs74 or email photos@loisirs74.fr
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do you book at Maison du Salève?
Book at Maison du Salève by phone on +33 (0)4 50 95 92 16 or email info@maisondusaleve.com. An online ticketing system is being rolled out. Booking required for groups, birthday parties and activities.
What are the prices at Maison du Salève?
Maison du Salève: adult €6, reduced €5, youth 6-18 years €3, disability €3, under 6 free, family entry (2 adults + up to 4 youths) €15. FREE with the Geneva Pass, Pass Empreintes, Pass Léman. Children's activities €6-8. Verified on 21 May 2026.
What are Maison du Salève's opening hours?
Maison du Salève: Feb-June and Sept-Dec Wed/Sat/Sun 2pm-6pm. Zone A school holidays Tue-Sun. July-August Tue-Sun 10am-6pm. Annual closure 5 Jan - 1 Feb. Verified on the official website on 21 May 2026 — subject to seasonal changes.
Does Maison du Salève accept the Geneva Pass?
Yes. Maison du Salève accepts the Geneva Pass, the Pass Empreintes, the Pass Léman and UDOTSI 74 — free entry on presentation. A strong cross-border draw for Swiss visitors from the Lake Geneva basin.
What can you see at Maison du Salève?
Maison du Salève presents the massif's geology, early humans (Magdalenians), the Salève cable car, mountain sports and wildlife and flora. Panoramic films, interactive displays and discovery trails towards the Chartreuse de Pomier.
Is there a loyalty offer at Maison du Salève?
Yes. Maison du Salève offers 'Visit once, come back for free for 1 year' on presentation of your entry ticket, accompanied by a paying visitor. Ideal for discovering successive temporary exhibitions.
Is Maison du Salève wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Maison du Salève is wheelchair accessible, and staff are trained to welcome people with mental or psychological disabilities. €3 rate on proof of eligibility. Accessible parking spaces in front of the building.
How do you get to Maison du Salève from Geneva?
Maison du Salève is 25 min from Geneva via the A41, exit 13 Saint-Julien Sud, then D 1201 towards Annecy. By bus: line 272 LIHSA, stop 'Chartreuse de Pomier' 1 km on foot. Free parking for cars and coaches, 100 m before the building.
Sources
Sources & verification
- maisondusaleve.com
- maisondusaleve.com
- maisondusaleve.com
- presilly.fr
- montsdugenevois.com
- haute-savoie-tourisme.org
Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
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