Dimitri Burkhard
Switzerland and chocolate are a match made in heaven. Everyone knows it, but few know how to experience the magic of chocolate firsthand in Switzerland. One of the top questions we get is about chocolate factory tours in Switzerland.
A common request goes like this: “My in-laws from abroad are coming to town, and I would like to take them to a typical Swiss chocolate factory. Any recommendations?”
Recommendations we have. From the behind-the-scenes look at chocolate production to a fantasy world that reminds of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, there are several fun chocolate factories in Switzerland.
Most of them offer a museum with a self-guided tour on the history of chocolate. Some chocolate factories allow for a more in-depth look at chocolate production with knowledgeable staff who will show you the ropes. And most all chocolate factories in Switzerland have a factory store attached where chocolate is sold at a discount.
These are the best chocolate factories in Switzerland with tours for the public:
The Läderach Chocolate Experience in Bilten
Have you ever caught yourself gazing into a Läderach shop? They have this captivating way of breaking and stacking their thin artisanal chocolate… If your answer is yes, the Läderach Chocolate Experience will be perfect for you. The chocolate discovery path leads from the rainforest to a tasting section, educating visitors about the origin of cocoa beans and the production of fine Läderach chocolate along the way.
This is where all the magic is happening, and visitors can peek inside the production facility. From quality control of incoming cocoa beans to the packaging of the final product, many steps along the mysterious process of chocolate making can be witnessed firsthand.
Consult the Läderach website ahead of your visit to schedule a guided tour in English.
House of Läderach Chocolate Experience
Grabenstrasse 6
8865 Bilten
Phone: +41 55 645 77 80
The Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory in Broc
Nestled between Fribourg and Montreux is Maison Cailler, a museum-like chocolate factory out of a picture book. At the museum, the tour starts with an interactive multimedia show on the history of Swiss chocolate. The exhibit also discusses the ingredients for chocolate production, such as sugar, cocoa beans, cocoa powder, nuts, coffee, and others.
A real-world production line shows the process from molten chocolate to the packaged bars we can buy at supermarkets – or the attached factory shop. But anyone who has visited Maison Cailler will tell you that their favorite part was the section where you can smell and taste as much chocolate as your heart desires…
Maison Cailler is open daily.
Maison Cailler
Rue Jules Bellet 7
1636 Broc
Phone: +41 26 921 59 60
Romain Leemann Artisan Chocolatier in Bulle
The only constant about the chocolate creations of Romain Leemann is change. Always looking for new flavors, this artisanal chocolatier makes some exclusive limited-edition chocolates.
This is the chance to learn chocolate making from a true professional. Different activities include a praline workshop or a bachelor event to produce a chocolate gift for the bride-to-be. During a 45-minute children’s workshop, the little ones make their chocolate to take home.
Romain Leemann Artisan Chocolatier
Rue St-Denis 46
1630 Bulle
Phone: +41 26 565 23 24
Website
The Camille Bloch Chocolate Factory in Courtelary
Hazelnut lovers are undoubtedly familiar with Ragusa and Torino, two of the flagship chocolate bars produced by Camille Bloch. At the new CHEZ Camille Bloch exhibit, you will learn a little-known fact about these favorites: they result from a cocoa shortage during the Second World War.
At the site in Courtelary, there is a production facility and a chocolate discovery tour where you can learn about the secrets behind Ragusa and Torino. As a bonus, you may engrave a special message onto a Ragusa bar! And needless to say, there will be plenty of opportunities along the way to tease your taste buds.
Chocolats Camille Bloch is open daily (except Mondays) from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Chocolats Camille Bloch
Grand-Rue 21
2608 Courtelary
Phone: +41 32 945 12 00
Website
Maestrani’s Chocolarium in Flawil
The Chocolarium near St. Gallen is a showcase for Maestrani, best known for their Minor chocolate sticks. It is no understatement that this chocolate factory comes with all the bells and whistles. For one, there is a chocolate discovery tour through a maze of colorful rooms where visitors chase the answer to the exhibit’s central question: How does luck get into chocolate?
Towards the end of the self-guided tour, there is a chocolate workshop in a funky factory environment, allowing visitors to decorate and cool their chocolate bar. And those who visit the Chocolarium on a weekday can watch the factory floor from a bird’s-eye view while snacking on delicious little Minor bars. To picture all of this, read about our experience visiting the Chocolarium.
Maestrani’s Chocolarium
Toggenburgerstrasse 41
9230 Flawil
Phone: +41 71 228 38 88
Website
Funky Chocolate Club in Interlaken
Have you ever wondered how to tell a chocolate bar’s type, quality, and percentage of cocoa? And have you ever wanted to create your very own Swiss chocolate?
To educate and entertain, the Funky Chocolate Club in Interlaken might just be the most hands-on chocolate factory in Switzerland. It is also one of Switzerland’s most unique chocolate boutiques, with shapes such as chocolate watches or cameras.
Since 2014, the Funky Chocolate Club has become a meeting point for chocolate lovers. The new owners continue the legacy of chocolate workshops that cover everything from chocolate tasting to chocolate making and decorating.
If you still have space after attending a workshop with an all-you-can-eat permission, why not stop by the Hüsi brew bar next door? It is run by Brad, one of the current owners.
Funky Chocolate Club Switzerland
Postgasse 10
3800 Interlaken
Phone: +41 79 108 92 47
Website
Lindt Home of Chocolate /
Lindt Chocolate Factory in Kilchberg
Have you ever seen those commercials where chocolate makers in white aprons and chef hats pour liquid chocolate into praline molds? The chocolate maker could be you at the Lindt Home of Chocolate by Lindt & Sprüngli near Zürich!
We have previously stepped behind the heavy doors of this real-life chocolate factory. And as part of the chocolate workshop, an instructor taught us how to create our very own pralines to take home. Insider tip: book a chocolate workshop before Easter or Christmas to make your own Lindt chocolate Easter bunny or teddy bear.
The chocolate museum tour at Lindt Home of Chocolate is educational yet not as entertaining as some other museums. The audio guide, including a dedicated audio guide for children, gives fascinating insights into the history of chocolate making. And chocoholics will love the various chocolate-tasting stations along the way, the giant chocolate fountain, and the Lindt factory shop.
Read more about our experience or look at the time when Rio participated in the Lindt & Sprüngli chocolate workshop.
Lindt Home of Chocolate
Schokoladenplatz 1
8802 Kilchberg
Phone: +41 44 716 20 00
Website
Choco emotionS in Neuchâtel
Suchard may not be top of mind regarding Swiss chocolate brands. But for one lifelong resident of Neuchâtel, the sweet childhood memories of the Suchard chocolate factory were reason enough to open a museum and workshop.
While the original chocolate factory in Neuchâtel-Serrières is no longer churning out Suchard products, Mrs. Vallana has found a way to keep the spirit alive.
So at Choco emotionS in Neuchâtel, Mrs. Vallana hosts various workshops and tasting sessions. These include wine pairings or hands-on workshops to create lollipops or chocolate molds.
Choco emotionS
Rue des Amandiers 2
2000 Neuchâtel
Phone: +41 79 818 15 64
Jacot Chocolatier in Noiraigue
Jacot Chocolatier may be best known for its chocolate creations. These exquisite works of art feature grand cru varieties, rare cacaos, and local flavors from the Val-de-Travers valley. Think absinthe-flavored chocolate…
Located a bit off the beaten track, Jacot Chocolatier is a hidden gem worth seeing. Its history dates back to 1949, and the current generation has just upped the ante: they offer chocolate and wine pairings!
This world-renowned chocolate factory also offers public tours that include a documentary film, a chocolate-making show, and a chance to taste the famous truffle pralines.
Jacot Chocolatier
Rue du Temple 23
2103 Noiraigue
Phone: +41 58 201 90 00
Website
La Fée Chocolat in Riddes
If there is ever a chocolate fairy, her name is Marilyn. Having grown up in a family of bakers and pastry chefs, Marilyn has developed her chocolate blends using essential oils.
This creative chocolate lover hosts workshops for anyone above the age of four. Children and adults love her hands-on chocolate workshops, where they create everything from Santa Clauses to pralines.
La Fée Chocolat
Chem. du Stand 7
1908 Riddes
Phone: +41 79 685 26 09
Website
ChocoWelt by Aeschbach Chocolatier in Root
A world of chocolate is conveniently located between Lucerne and Zug: ChocoWelt. An interactive museum brings you up to speed with chocolate production, but the real magic happens in the area where one can peek onto the factory floor. Depending on the season of your visit, you may spot employees painting Easter bunnies or Santa Clauses.
Now in the third generation, Aeschbach Chocolatier follows original family recipes to create artisanal chocolate. Since 1972, these master chocolate makers from central Switzerland have made a name for their expertise.
Fun fact: Aeschbach Chocolatier is Switzerland’s exclusive chocolate coins producer. At ChocoWelt, there is even a possibility for you to customize your own ChocoMoneta coin, or you may decorate your own chocolate bar. Simply upgrade your admission to ChocoWelt Plus to create your own 200-gram chocolate bar.
ChocoWelt is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM.
ChocoWelt by Aeschbach Chocolatier
ChocoDromo 1
6037 Root
Phone: +41 41 747 33 66
Website
Chocolate Factory Zurich
Chocoholics in Zürich are in for some special treats. Several chocolate factories and museums offer engaging activities such as chocolate workshops or chocolate tastings. Rain or shine, visiting one of the chocolate factories closest to Zürich should be top of your list.
With increasing distance from Zurich, here are some chocolate factories you can easily visit:
Lindt Home of Chocolate
Kilchberg
Aeschbach Chocolatier ChocoWelt
Root
Maestrani’s Chocolarium
Flawil
Alprose Chocolate Experience & Shop in Caslano
Not every chocolate factory gives as much access to the production process as Chocolat Alprose. At the Alprose Chocolate Experience, you can witness each stage of production, from cacao beans to the final product, surrounded by the irresistible aroma of chocolate. At the end of the tour, indulge in as much chocolate tasting as you’d like.
There is also an interactive exhibit to learn about the history of chocolate and Chocolat Alprose’s story of success since 1957. It is good to know that this chocolatier offers delicious carbon-neutral, sustainable Swiss chocolate exclusively.
The factory shop has something for every chocolate lover. Browse the classic Alprose collection or discover new arrivals… Your sweetest dreams will come to life!
Alprose Chocolate Experience & Shop
Via Rompada 36
6987 Caslano
Phone: +41 91 611 88 56
Website
Bill Harby
[…] You simply can’t write a “things to do in Switzerland” article without mentioning chocolate! Switzerland and chocolate belong together like Tom & Jerry, or Batman & Robin. But did you know that you not only can buy and eat Swiss chocolate in Switzerland but also visit a chocolate factory and make Swiss chocolate with your own hands? Click this link to find chocolate factories in Switzerland which offer tours. […]