Cailler Chocolate Factory

The following day, we continued the weekend's adventures with an excursion out of Geneva and into the Swiss countryside on the opposite side of the lake. It is said that one should not leave Switzerland without tasting authentic Swiss chocolate, eating genuine Swiss cheese, and visiting a real Swiss castle. So we decided to accomplish all three in one day. We woke up early to catch our train, and were able to enjoy a relaxing morning ride through undulating green pastureland and beautiful lakeside towns before reaching our first destination: the Cailler Chocolate Factory. Inside the factory were rooms stacked with chocolate bars of all flavors, machinery to dominate every part of the chocolate-making process, and--best of all--free samples for all visitors! I made the mistake of pigging out on the first tray of milk chocolates, only to realize there were about two dozen more flavors spread across six other trays. By the end of my "sampling," I'd eaten about 24 pieces of chocolate, which is about three Christmases worth.

Sunday morning train ride to the chocolate factory, affording spectacular views of the towns, farmland, and mountains surrounding Lake Geneva.


The Cailler Chocolate Factory in the town of Broc, two hours northeast of Geneva. "Nestle R&D Centre" ... sounds intense!


The gift shop inside the front entrance. Note to self: next time purchase chocolate before stuffing face with free samples.



Paradise found.

The original chocolate bars, the original makers, and their original equipment. Looks like something out of Willy Wonka's factory.

This machine's called "The Clipper." It clips nuts...


Cocoa beans and giant stick of cocoa butter.


Cases to mold your chocolate Easter rabbit or Easter...sphinx?


The factory ground floor where the chocolate is produced.
Tubes containing the aromas of various types of chocolate.

THE SIX STAGES OF FREE CHOCOLATE SAMPLING:

Stage #1: Discovery.

Stage #2: Approval.

Stage #3: Aggression.

Stage #4: Over-consumption.

Stage #5: Vision loss.

Stage #6: Coma.