Musée du Chablais
Municipal museum housed in the Château de Sonnaz, telling 7,000 years of Chablais history through more than 130 objects.
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About the museum
The Thonon museum was officially founded in 1863, thanks to the interest of several residents in local history. Its first collections were very varied: minerals, stuffed animals and archaeological objects, notably from the excavations at the port of Thonon. In 1878 it moved into two rooms on the ground floor of the town hall, with a strong focus on natural sciences, and later took in objects from archaeology, ethnography and fine art.
In 1953 the Musée du Chablais moved into the Château de Sonnaz. The château was built in 1666 on the ruins of the medieval castle of Thonon and also houses the tourist office. After the war, the museum built up a collection of ethnographic objects gathered throughout the Chablais. Between the 1960s and the 1980s acquisitions continued in archaeology, local history, ethnography and fine art, while natural sciences were removed from the permanent display.
Today the permanent exhibition “Saut dans le temps, 7 000 ans d'histoire(s) du Chablais” shows, from the Neolithic to the Annexation of 1860, the Chablais' role as a crossroads between the Alpine passes, Italy and Lake Geneva. Works from the late 18th to the 21st century also show how painters, printmakers and writers have viewed Lake Geneva.
Highlights
- Permanent exhibition “Saut dans le temps, 7 000 ans d'histoire(s) du Chablais”
- More than 130 objects, from the Neolithic to the Annexation of 1860
- Works by artists inspired by Lake Geneva, from the 18th to the 21st century
- Route, quiz booklet and a 30 m² play area for children
- Free admission every Sunday
Permanent exhibition
- Saut dans le temps, 7 000 ans d'histoire(s) du Chablais – A route from the Neolithic to the Annexation of 1860 with more than 130 objects, showing the Chablais' position between Lake Geneva, the Alpine passes and Italy.
- Founded
- 1863
- Operated by
- Ville de Thonon-les-Bains
- Visitors per year
- approx. 6,468
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2.60Seniors, young people aged 18 to 25, students, job seekers, people with disabilities, holders of the Carte Loisir |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for visitors under 18. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €2.60 per personGroup package for adults, per person; groups of 10 or more. Accompanying adults enter free. |
Free admission: Every Sunday
The museum is included in the Pass Léman France, sold at partner tourist offices from May to October. Payment by bank card, contactless card, cheque, Chèques-vacances or cash.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum is not wheelchair-accessible. Services are adapted for hard-of-hearing visitors. The museum is in the basement of the Château de Sonnaz.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Playground / play area
The museum offers a quiz booklet, a dedicated route for children through the exhibition and a 30 m² play area to share as a family. It holds the Famille Plus customer promise. Free admission for visitors under 18.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
A public transport stop is less than 500 m away.
The museum is in the town centre of Thonon-les-Bains, in the basement of the Château de Sonnaz, less than 500 m from the marina.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum is in the basement of the Château de Sonnaz, which also houses the tourist office. The pages consulted do not mention Wi-Fi for visitors.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Individual visits are always possible on a self-guided basis. Groups (from 10 people) can book a self-guided or guided visit. Guided visits are offered in French; the team also speaks German and English. Animals are not admitted. |
