I’ve been dying to do a chocolate factory tour ever since we moved to Switzerland. The cliché would have you thinking that it would be easy to find a local factory that offers tours, but that’s not the reality. Big factories, such as the Maison Cailler in Broc are just a bit too far away (3 hours by train each way) to make a day trip out of. Lindt & Sprüngli are two other well-known Swiss chocolate makers, offering some of the finest assortments. Lindt hasn’t offered factory tours for the past few years due to strict health and sanitation regulations. Luckily, they recently opened a Chocolateria where visitors can come watch how the chocolates are made by hand. A schedule was posted online of open days where the general public can come visit their location in Kilchberg, Zürich. As soon as I found out about this offer, I marked it on the calendar. Alex and I were ready to go to the next possible open day, which happened to be last Wednesday. It took about 40 minutes to get to there by public transport. The second we stepped out of the bus, we could smell the delicious aroma of chocolate in the air and we knew we were in the right place.
We walked up to the building and followed signs to the room. In the Chocolateria, there were many chocolatiers busy at their stations. Each was making something different – bars of chocolate, truffles, pralines, and hollow milk chocolate Santas and bears. On each of the 6 counters there was a large golden pot filled with warm chocolate. It was so neat to see the detail put into each and every chocolate. Alex and I couldn’t wait to taste test a few!
“Attention: Chocolate is this way!”
But wait, wash your hands first
Now you can enter
Chocolatiers at work
After they finished putting on the final touches, the chocolates were put in a small refrigerator below the counter and about a minute later pulled out for everyone to try.
We left before a little someone tried too many chocolates, but that’s not to say it wasn’t without a dramatic effect. He cried so loud until a few chocolatiers quickly came to the rescue with a few goodies for Alex to take home.
Tales of an American-Swiss Family 
That was really an up-close watched over their work, fantastic! I went to Broc twice, now that they have renovated, it was very good with all animated show, different rooms to visit. and at the end, the tasting room, hmmmm…. i could understand why Alex didn’t want to leave 🙂
We really enjoyed it – except for the part at the end. 🙂 I’d love to visit the factory in Broc, we’ll just have to do a bit more planning for a weekend trip. 9/10 times our trips are spontaneously decided a week (or even just a few days) before! haha
Great display of your chocolate adventure! You and Alex certainly get around to many places! Thanks for capturing so many detailed pics that make us feel like we were there with you! Glad you have a partner to go with you on all of these tours!
Love,
Mom
Do you still have the link to where you viewed the online schedule? I would love to go!
Hi Jamie, I found it from this site: http://www.lindt.com/int/swf/eng/company/chocolateria/opening-with-roger-federer/ So far I don’t see any open days for this year, but there is a Valentine’s workshop.