Discover our commitments

Sustainable tourism also known as responsible tourism involves offering and experiencing tourism activities that take into account their impact on the environment, society, and the local economy. Its goal is simple: to allow visitors to discover a region while preserving its resources, heritage, and quality of life for future generations.

This approach encourages more respectful practices, such as reducing waste, managing energy and water consumption, preserving biodiversity, and supporting local stakeholders. It also invites visitors to adopt more responsible behaviors throughout their journey.

However, sustainable tourism goes beyond environmental concerns. It also aims to showcase the skills, cultures, and heritage that make a region unique. By fostering interaction, raising awareness, and rooting activities in the local community, it helps create experiences that are more authentic and meaningful.

At the Cité du Chocolat Valrhona, this commitment translates into a desire to offer a visit that is enriching, environmentally respectful, and mindful of the issues facing the cocoa industry. It is a way of combining discovery, enjoyment, and responsibility to create a more conscious and sustainable form of tourism.

At the Cité du Chocolat Valrhona, our commitment to more sustainable tourism translates into daily actions aimed at reducing our environmental impact, fostering inclusion, and raising visitor awareness regarding the major challenges of the future.

These efforts have been rewarded with the "Divertissement Durable" label (Sustainable Entertainment), awarded by the National Union of Leisure, Attraction, and Cultural Sites (SNELAC). This distinction recognizes our initiatives regarding environmental, social, and economic responsibility, positioning the Cité du Chocolat among the most progressive players in the sector.

This recognition aligns perfectly with the ongoing commitments of Maison Valrhona, which has long strived to foster a cocoa supply chain that is fairer, more sustainable, and more respectful of people and natural resources.

Assessed against more than 120 criteria, the label highlights the many initiatives implemented by the Cité du Chocolat: reducing its environmental footprint, continuously improving the visitor experience, raising awareness of sustainable development issues, showcasing the local region, and promoting more responsible practices.

More than just an award, this approach reflects a strong conviction: to offer a high-quality visitor experience while making a positive contribution to society and the environment. It is an ambition that guides the Cité du Chocolat actions every day, helping to build a form of tourism that is more sustainable, conscious, and committed.

At the Cité du Chocolat, we believe that indulgence can go hand in hand with responsibility. Starting in January 2026, we are introducing a low-carbon preferential rate of €9.50 per person, reserved for visitors who choose environmentally friendly modes of transport. 

By choosing the train - bus - bike, you significantly reduce your carbon footprint while enjoying a more peaceful and pleasant journey. It's a simple and concrete way to contribute to the ecological transition, while benefiting from a discounted rate.

 This initiative is part of our sustainability commitments: 

- Promoting sustainable mobility and limiting the use of private cars. 

- Encouraging transportation Collectives that reduce pollution and ease traffic congestion. 

- Promote cycling visitors who combine the pleasure of travel with respect for the environment. 

- Combine pleasure and responsibility, so that discovering chocolate is also a gesture for the planet. 

By choosing to come by means other than a car, you actively participate in a collective effort: making indulgence more sustainable and preserving our region. Together, let's make every visit a step towards a gentler future… for you, for us, and for the planet. 

At the Cité du Chocolat Valrhona, reducing our environmental impact is at the heart of everything we do. This commitment drives an eco-design approach aimed at minimizing waste, conserving resources, and prioritizing environmentally friendly solutions across all our operations.

In our day-to-day activities, we favor recyclable or reusable materials and continue our efforts to reduce single-use packaging. This approach is backed by concrete waste recovery initiatives through local partnerships. For instance, the Cité du Chocolat Valrhona collaborates with TRIBü, a Lyon-based company specializing in the collection and processing of various materials, including glass, cans, plastic bottles, paper cups, and even cigarette butts.

As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, the Valrhona shop in Tain-l'Hermitage has since 2024, offered a selection of iconic chocolates in bulk. This initiative allows visitors to enjoy their favorite chocolates while reducing packaging waste and adopting a more responsible way to shop.

Through these actions, the Cité du Chocolat demonstrates its desire to combine indulgence with commitment, offering a visitor experience that aligns with a more environmentally conscious approach to resource management. Because every action counts, we believe it is possible to savor chocolate while contributing to a more sustainable future.

A visit to the Cité du Chocolat Valrhona is far more than a simple discovery tour; it is a true immersion into the world of cocoa and chocolate. Throughout an interactive, sensory journey, visitors explore the various stages that transform the cocoa bean into exceptional chocolate and discover the craftsmanship that has made Valrhona renowned for over a century.

As they move through the different areas, visitors are invited to observe, smell, taste, and experiment, gaining a deeper understanding of the richness of the cocoa and chocolate industry. Chocolate-themed tastings, activities, quizzes, and games allow visitors to explore every facet of chocolate, from its origins to its production.

This immersive approach is coupled with an exploration of the issues surrounding cocoa and its production. The visit raises awareness about the importance of more responsible practices and the need to preserve the resources that make the creation of exceptional chocolates possible.

Designed for all ages, the Cité du Chocolat welcomes everyone—from food enthusiasts and families to groups and the simply curious. Every visitor enjoys an experience that is fun, enriching, and meaningful, where the joy of discovery, sharing, and commitment come together around a shared passion: chocolate.