Travel to Parc d'Attraction du Chatelard, Switzerland

Parc d’Attraction du Chatelard in Geneva,  Switzerland  

                              (Highly Recommended for Children)

 Itinerary: Day trip from Geneva by land (105 km/ 1.18 minutes each way)

                   Geneva to Chamonix, France       81.9 km       1 hr 04 min.

                   Chamonix to Chatelard                20 km                 23 min.

                   Chatelard to Geneva

                             (via Chamonix)                 105 km        1 hr 30 min.

Parc d’Attraction du Chatelard (highly recommended for children)

          Parc d’Attractions du Chatelard VS

          Gare du Funiculaire

          CH-1925 Le Chatelard VS

          Tel. +4127 769 11 11

          Fax  +4127 769 11 15

          www.chatelard.net

1. Parc d/Attraction du Chatelard is a privately-run facility located at Le Chatelard in Switzerland that is open 7 days a week except during winter season (after October) where the facility is closed.

2. The attraction of this Parc is the huge Dam (Lake of Emosson)  located at the top of the mountain (12,230 meters)  and the three modes of transportation from the ticketing station to the Dam, namely:

1. Steepest Funicular – the two cars of this funicular runs on the steepest slope in the world (of about 87 degrees). This first ride takes approximately 15 minutes.
2. Le Petit Train Panoramique – which you transfer to after disembarking from the funicular.  This mini-train runs on steam engine and follows the hillside. It crosses the forests and rocky cliffs through tunnels.  It offers a marvelous view of the Mont-Blanc range and Gorges du Bourqui.  Train rides is approximately 13 minutes.
3. Le Minifunic – This means of transportation connects the terminal of the Panoramic mini train to the dam. The mountain station is 30 meters above the crown of the dam.  Travel in this mini funicular is about 7 minutes.

2. Regular run of the funicular, the petit train and the minifunic is every 20 minutes.  Last trip down to the station is 4:40 pm.

3. There is a nice restaurant at Lake of Emosson which is located just beside the dam:

Restaurant du Barrage d’Emosson

(Altitude 1970 meters)

1925 Finhaut

Tel. +4127 768 1274

1. Has indoor and outdoor dining facilities with a good view of Mont Blanc. 
2. Serves variety of food to include: cheese fondue (CHF 22), sandwiches (from CHF 7.00) and children’s meal (CHF 10)
3. Reservation is advisable during travel season
4. Credit cards accepted

4. There is also a souvenir shop, information center, picnic area at Lake of Emosson.

5. Activities to consider at the lake area:

1. Visit the chapel on a hill just beside the restaurant
2. Hike around the dam area
3. Visit the archeological artifacts of a dinosaur

Travel and Tips

1. Travel to this Parc is 105 kilometers from Geneva or a land travel of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

2. There may be two routes which you may consider in  going to the Parc from Geneva:

Route 1 :  Geneva  to Le Chatelard via Chamonix, France (105 km,

1.30 min; toll fees of approximately Euro 5.40 - make sure you have French visa and valid passport)

Route 1 : Geneva to Le Chatelard via Martigny (162 km, 1.57 min)

                   (this travel is within Switzerland and will not need

                    visa nor travel documents)

3. You should consider calling the ticketing office of Le Chatelard to check on the weather condition at Lake of Emosson and the travel schedule of the funicular.  The latter varies depending on the season.

Tickets (round trip – entitles you to all three rides)

Adults                    CHF 52

                   Children                 CHF 22

·        No half fare tickets even if you have Day Card

·        Major credit cards accepted

Land Travel to Lake of Emosson

          One can reach the Lake of Emosson by land and without taking the funicular.  Distance from the funicular ticket office is only 12.2 km or approximately 21 minutes travel time.  Roads are winding and very scenic. Free parking is available.

          There is also a regular public bus to Lake of Emosson from Martigny.

Additional Attractions to Consider

          You may wish to consider traveling from Chatelard to the following places where children will also enjoy on your return travel to Geneva:

          1. Musee et Chiens du Saint-Bernard (Travel Tip #1)        33.2 km       45 minutes

          2. Labyrinth Adventure (Travel Tip #16)                           11.1 km or 15 minutes from

                                                                                                       Musee et Chiens du St.Bernard.

          3. Chateau de Chillon in Montreux                                   Approximately 30 minutes from Labyrinth

June 2011