Step into the fascinating world of chocolate!
The Valrhona Cité du Chocolat opened on 24 October 2013 in Tain l’Hermitage
Located on the site of Valrhona’s historic chocolate factory, the Cité takes the general public and professionals on a behind-the-scenes exploration of Fine Chocolate.
During a mouth-watering, eye-opening trail through the heart of the Cité, you will discover all the secrets of how chocolate is made, and the array of expertise possessed by Valrhona and its customers.
Whether you’re a gourmet enthusiast or simply love chocolate, whether you’re an amateur or a professional, come and savour a magical experience with this most exceptional of ingredients!
From cocoa beans to top chefs’ creations – come and explore, smell and taste chocolate in all of its forms…
All our courses are held in the Gran Couva or Guanaja teaching kitchens at the École Valrhona (8 quai du Général de Gaulle, Tain l’Hermitage) or in the Dulcey teaching kitchen (upstairs at the Cité du Chocolat: 12 avenue du Président Roosevelt, Tain l’Hermitage).
5 good reasons to visit the Cité!
A fun, educational tour
A unique gourmet experience
Workshops and entertainment
A very chocolatey café
A recreation area dedicated to children
Discovery centre: an overview
The Valrhona Cité du Chocolat is, above all, an interactive discovery trail for all the senses. Instructive Educational and fun, it will help you better understand the secrets of chocolate – so you can taste it more rewardingly.
1. Sensory Studio
Taste, touch, observe and listen to chocolate – to make the most of its rich and complex character. This multi-sensory immersive sequence is often amazing and always mouth-watering!
2. Recipe Bar
Now it’s time to find out about chocolate recipes. This area focuses on proportions and ingredients – the typical ones, but also more original additions. Taste or identify them round The Flavour Table, to cultivate your sense of smell...
3. Cocoa Farms
Board now for a journey to the other side of the world, where the finest cocoa beans are skilfully grown by generations of farmers with a passion for their work.
4. Chocolate Factory
Alongside master roasters, conche operators and blenders, go backstage at the chocolate
factory and see how each professional, following an unchanging ritual, transforms the raw cocoa into a chocolate with the finest of flavours...
5. Chocolate Workshop
If your curiosity is still unsated, try one of the discovery sessions on offer in this specially designed venue, led by chocolate professionals.
After that, you will know (almost) all the secrets of chocolate!
6. The Enrobing Area
The most inquisitive visitors can follow the journey of a chocolate bonbon along
a mini production line – right through to the final enrobing (coating) stage that yields fresh chocolates, ready for tasting!
7. World of Chefs
Come and meet the people who, from day to day, transform chocolate into gorgeous creations: pastry chefs, chocolatiers and bakers. Step into the daily world of these artisans of indulgence and admire their products, creativity and technical know-how – including skills you can replicate during your visit.
8. Valrhona, the story so far
Here, Valrhona’s history is told in an exhibition of historical objects and a signature film. This exhibit reveals the brand’s heritage through reminiscences, and highlights the singular legacy of the women and men who have built the company.
9. L'ile O Petits
For younger children, the Cité du Chocolat has devised “Kids Island”, a dedicated,
custom-designed recreation area: a time-out space for reading, drawing, playing on tactile tablets, interacting with other children and sharing new emotions around chocolate...
10. Photochoc
Take a photo of yourself with a “cocoa/chocolate” background for a memento of your visit, and email it to yourself!
11. Dulcey Lab
Whether you opt for a course, a workshop lasting a couple of hours, or a tasting moment, you can share recipes, skills and a passion for chocolate with a Valrhona pastry chef. Take a peek into the experts’ kitchen.
12. Comptoir Porcelana
Whether you fancy a snack, a tasting or an exceedingly chocolatey lunch, visit our café and savour an original culinary experience that naturally revolves around chocolate…
1. Sensory Studio
Taste, touch, observe and listen to chocolate – to make the most of its rich and complex character. This multi-sensory immersive sequence is often amazing and always mouth-watering!
2. Recipe Bar
Now it’s time to find out about chocolate recipes. This area focuses on proportions and ingredients – the typical ones, but also more original additions. Taste or identify them round The Flavour Table, to cultivate your sense of smell...
3. Cocoa Farms
Board now for a journey to the other side of the world, where the finest cocoa beans are skilfully grown by generations of farmers with a passion for their work.
4. Chocolate Factory
Alongside master roasters, conche operators and blenders, go backstage at the chocolate
factory and see how each professional, following an unchanging ritual, transforms the raw cocoa into a chocolate with the finest of flavours...
5. Chocolate Workshop
If your curiosity is still unsated, try one of the discovery sessions on offer in this specially designed venue, led by chocolate professionals.
After that, you will know (almost) all the secrets of chocolate!
6. The Enrobing Area
The most inquisitive visitors can follow the journey of a chocolate bonbon along
a mini production line – right through to the final enrobing (coating) stage that yields fresh chocolates, ready for tasting!
7. World of Chefs
Come and meet the people who, from day to day, transform chocolate into gorgeous creations: pastry chefs, chocolatiers and bakers. Step into the daily world of these artisans of indulgence and admire their products, creativity and technical know-how – including skills you can replicate during your visit.
8. Valrhona, the story so far
Here, Valrhona’s history is told in an exhibition of historical objects and a signature film. This exhibit reveals the brand’s heritage through reminiscences, and highlights the singular legacy of the women and men who have built the company.
9. L'ile O Petits
For younger children, the Cité du Chocolat has devised “Kids Island”, a dedicated,
custom-designed recreation area: a time-out space for reading, drawing, playing on tactile tablets, interacting with other children and sharing new emotions around chocolate...
10. Photochoc
Take a photo of yourself with a “cocoa/chocolate” background for a memento of your visit, and email it to yourself!
11. Dulcey Lab
Whether you opt for a course, a workshop lasting a couple of hours, or a tasting moment, you can share recipes, skills and a passion for chocolate with a Valrhona pastry chef. Take a peek into the experts’ kitchen.
12. Comptoir Porcelana
Whether you fancy a snack, a tasting or an exceedingly chocolatey lunch, visit our café and savour an original culinary experience that naturally revolves around chocolate…
A tour experience devised to arouse younger kids' curiosity
Children have fun finding out about cocoa and chocolate, thanks to specially designed interactive attractions.
Like adults, children also learn to taste chocolate in all its forms, and find out absolutely everything about the world behind a chocolate square.
While their parents explore at their own pace, children can have fun throughout their tour with a specially designed booklet.
Upstairs at the Cité is an area designed especially for children. In Lili & Zoco’s company, they can play on tactile tablets, read and draw – ideal for interacting with other kids, and sharing new emotions around chocolate…
The Cité in photos
Extend your visit!
Self-service café
Valrhona chocolates
Workshops