The Camille Bloch chocolate factory in Courtelary showcases the world of chocolate through an interactive tour of the brand’s history and craftsmanship. You can watch production in action and make creations such as Ragusa and Torino in a workshop.
Chocolates
Main highlights
- An interactive Discovery Tour covering the history of the company, founded in 1929, and its products
- Live production lines where you can watch chocolate bars being made
- Chocolate workshops to make your own Ragusa or Torino with chocolatiers
Overview
The Camille Bloch company was founded in Bern in 1929. In 1935, the chocolatier moved it to Courtelary, into a former paper pulp mill. During the Second World War, faced with a shortage of cocoa, he replaced some of the missing ingredients with a hazelnut praline paste.
This is how Ragusa was born in 1942, followed by Torino in 1948. Today, this family business is run by the third generation of the Bloch family. Its Visitor Centre presents the brand’s history, modern production and sensory experiences centred on chocolate.
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What to see and do
The Discovery Tour traces the company’s history through atmospheric videos, themed exhibitions and interactive displays. Demonstration lines show the stages of chocolate bar production live. A 4D gaming cinema combines a multiplayer game with sound, light, wind and scent effects. The tour also covers the company’s sustainability commitments, such as hazelnut farming in Georgia and solar power.
In the Workshop, children and adults make their own Ragusa, Torino or liqueur chocolates with chocolatiers. The Ragusa workshop teaches you to pour successive layers around the praline and whole roasted hazelnuts. Seasonal themed workshops use ingredients of the moment.
The Shop offers the brand’s widest range, including exclusive products. The Bistro serves homemade chocolate specialities and local produce.
Practical information
Getting there : by car or by train; Courtelary station is on the Biel/Bienne–Sonceboz line.
Visit duration : around 2 to 3 hours including the tour, the 4D cinema and a workshop.
Suitable for : families and groups; workshops open to children aged 6 and over.
On site : car park, shop, bistro, terrace, picnic areas, playground and a conference room for 150 people.
Visitor tips
Workshop places are limited : book in advance, especially during school holidays and at weekends. The outdoor park, with its playground and picnic areas, lets you extend your outing.
This place is part of the selection The top 10 indoor activities for children in French-speaking Switzerland.
Nearby attractions
- Chasseral, a Jura summit accessible from Nods, offers a panoramic view of the Alps.
- The Longines Museum in Saint-Imier traces the brand’s watchmaking history through timepieces and archives.
- The Bellelay Abbey Church features a Baroque nave set in the Jura countryside.
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