Sallanches

Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes

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 to a new scenography made up of around fifty interactive modules spread over four floors:
1) geology and glaciology
2) fauna and flora
3) The history of 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 activities are demonstrations or experiences designed in the form of short 15/20 minute segments on the scenographic route. They do not require reservations and are offered at no extra charge to the entrance fee (a minimum of 10 people is required for the activity to take place).
2) “At the castle lab”: in a longer format: 1 hour to 2 hours, these workshops give pride of place to experimentation, thus allowing certain themes to be explored in greater depth. They are offered on Wednesdays or Sundays, by reservation, all year round at the price of €6,50 per child and €8,50 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 (7,50€) at the rate of one every two months.

A shop with souvenirs and local products is also available during the same opening hours as the castle.
History, culture and heritage

Built in the 19th century as a fortified house, the Château des Rubins was spared by the Revolution and the fire of April 1840, XNUMX which ravaged Sallanches.

In the 16th century it served as a residence for the nobles of Loche, bailiffs of Faucigny. Its massive facades are brightened by large Renaissance mullioned windows. Its square tower is topped with a spigot roof resting on a crenellation. Its iron-clad ogival door gives access to a beautiful spiral staircase.

Transformed into apartments in the 1978th century, it was then purchased by the city in XNUMX.

In 1985, the Centre de la nature montagnarde (CNM) invested in the premises in order to design an interpretation centre for the alpine natural heritage, with presentations of biodiversity, educational activities and events, exhibitions and conferences. The renovation of the basement of the building and the various extensions carried out in 1997 appeared outdated and inconsistent with the heritage identity of the castle, which is why a major restoration was undertaken, with the aim of upgrading the interiors, bringing access for people with reduced mobility into compliance, and renovating certain openings as well as the entrance façade. The architectural duo Pierre Janin and the PNR workshop stepped up to the plate to achieve this ambitious objective.

After two years of work, the Château des Rubins – Observatoire des Alpes opens its doors in July 2021 with an innovative scenography made up of around fifty interactive modules spread over four floors and as many themes.

Some important dates:

1310: Hugues, Dauphin of Viennois and Baron of Faucigny, granted the inhabitants of Sallanches their first privileges, a sign of the town's prosperity.

1339: The parish had 15 strongholds and 20 noble families.

1563: At the end of the XNUMXth century, it belonged to the Loche family, bailiffs of Faucigny.

1754th century: it belonged to the de Chasseys who sold it in XNUMX to the chapter of the collegiate church of Sallanches.

1730: The Château des Rubins belonged to Etienne de Choulay

1747: The ecclesiastical institution (Chapter of Sallanches) acquired the castle from Philibert de Chasseys and Georgine de Menthon de Choulex.

1840: 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.

1978: The castle is purchased by the City of Sallanches where the Mountain Nature Center is located until 2019.

1997: It will be modified and will have two additional levels with a gallery which will provide a link with the old building.

2021: After 2 years of work, it now houses the Alpine Observatory, a museum on the mountain, environment, ethnology, etc.

We speak English

Location details

Free parking two minutes walk from the Château: Lévaud car park.
  • Downtown
  • In the city
Label / practical information: Indoor, Recommended in bad weather, Qualité Tourisme™, Recommended in very hot weather, Benevolent tourism – economic impact 3, Benevolent tourism – social impact 3, Benevolent tourism – environmental preservation 2

Opening

Opening hours from April 06 to May 04, 2025
MondayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
TuesdayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
WednesdayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
ThursdayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
FridayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
SundayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
Opening hours from May 05 to July 05, 2025
WednesdayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
ThursdayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
FridayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
SundayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
Opening hours from July 06 to August 31, 2025
MondayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
TuesdayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
WednesdayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
ThursdayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
FridayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
SundayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
Opening hours from September 01 to October 18, 2025
WednesdayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
ThursdayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
FridayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
SundayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
Opening hours from October 19 to November 02, 2025
MondayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
TuesdayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
WednesdayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
ThursdayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
FridayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m
SundayOpen from 10 a.m to 18 p.m

Exceptional Closure(s)

  • 01/01/2025
  • 11/11/2025
  • 25/12/2025

Rates

RatesMin.Max.
Full price

7,50 €Not disclosed
Reduced price

6,50 €Not disclosed
Kids
6,50 €Not disclosed
Big family

23 €Not disclosed
Further information) :
Château des Rubins ambassador pass: €24 (entrance all year round)
Visit and adult workshop or lab: €8,50
Visit and workshop or school activity: €6,50
Group adults: 6,50€
Group of people with reduced mobility: €6


It is necessary to book for all our events via our online ticket office: www.billetweb.fr/pro/chateaudesrubins
Free for children 5 and under)

Payment methods

  • Bank / credit card
  • Cheque
  • Cash
  • Contactless payment

Services

Equipment

  • Elevator
  • Toilet
  • defibrillator
  • Parking nearby
  • Vestiaire Collective

Services

  • Coach access
  • Room rental for event
  • Boutique
  • Wifi Internet access
  • Tourist Documentation
  • Accessible by stroller

Activities on site

  • Animation
  • Manual workshops
  • Permanent exhibition

Home animals

Pets are not accepted

Accessibility

Adapted service: Site, fully accessible building

Physical disability

Two rooms in the castle are not wheelchair accessible. The rest of the castle is accessible via two elevators.
PMR parking is available at the entrance to the castle near reception.

Visual impairment

Some rooms in the castle have dark atmospheres which may bother people with visual impairments.

Mental handicap

Some rooms in the castle have sound and/or light environments that may bother people who are hypersensitive to noise and light.

Linked offers

On the spot…

Address

105 montée des Rubins
74700 Sallanches
How do I get there?

Was this content useful to you?