This blog post was updated on August 4, 2021.
Pretty much all humans on the planet love chocolate. But Europeans REALLY love it. Ever since chocolate first showed up on the continent in the 16th century, they’ve had a love affair with the sweet treat. In praline form or liquid, Europe is crazy for chocolate, as evident from the many chocolate-centered museums you’ll find there. Not only do these spaces provide a more educational look at chocolate, but they also lend some sweet venues for the chocolate crazed to get more than their fill. As you sample Europe’s finest offerings, consider kicking up your chocolate consuming game and going to a few great chocolate museums.
Here are some suggestions on where to go:
Choco Story Paris in Paris
Appropriately set in Paris, France, and known for its sweets and legendary cuisine, Choco Story Paris presents a gourmet chocolate museum that covers some 4,000 years of history. Not only can you educate yourself on the background of chocolate, but the museum also details how chocolate is made and how the process has changed over time. Choco Story Paris might be most revered for its interactive offerings, from an all-you-can-eat tasting room to live demonstrations with chocolatiers and workshops where you can make your own chocolate. You can also bask at famous Paris landmarks in chocolate form and take a gander at a celebrity Wall of Fame, which features handprints of the famous … in chocolate, of course.
Museu de la Xocolata in Barcelona
Occupying a former monastery in Barcelona, Spain, the Museu de la Xocolata details the beginnings of chocolate, its grand appearance in Europe, and even its medicinal properties. The museum shines a light not just on the backstory of chocolate as a whole, but also Barcelona’s role in the history of chocolate. Since medieval times, chocolate has played a key role in the city’s social and economic state. The port of Barcelona was often the launching point for selling and distributing chocolate all over the continent. In addition to history exhibits, you won’t want to miss the works of art made out of chocolate; there’s an extensive collection of sculptures made entirely of chocolate.
Related: The Coolest Breweries that You Can Visit & Tour in Germany
Schokoladen Museum in Germany
Overlooking the Rhine River in Cologne, Germany, the Schokoladen Museum covers the history and culture of chocolate as every chocolate museum should. And while its collection is extensive, most chocolate lovers who take flights to Germany to visit the museum come for its legendary chocolate fountain and chocolate factory. The chocolate fountain was made specifically for the museum and measures 3 meters tall. The chocolate factory onsite showcases exactly how chocolate is made, and also churns out over 800 pounds of chocolate daily. Welcoming around 600,000 visitors a year, Schokoladen Museum might be so popular for you can even create your own chocolate bar here from three types of chocolate and 40 ingredients.
Choco Story Brugge in Belgium
Nestled in a medieval building in Bruges, Belgium, Choco Story Brugge presents the history of chocolate with an emphasis on experiencing chocolate through sight, smell and taste. The collection offers nearly 1,000 objects pertaining to chocolate and its history. And as Belgium has always been at the forefront of chocolate production in Europe, you can also taste plenty of chocolate products made in the museum or even partake in a workshop and learn how to make specialties like pralines and truffles.
Have you visited chocolate museums? Share your experience with us in the comments below!
