Choco-Story Paris, Musée Gourmand du Chocolat

Choco-Story Paris, the Musée Gourmand du Chocolat, is a private chocolate museum at 28 Boulevard de Bonne Nouvelle on the Grands Boulevards in Paris's 10th arrondissement. It traces chocolate from the Maya to modern bars, with tastings along the way, and suits families with children and anyone with a sweet tooth.

The Van Belle family's third chocolate museum

It opened in 2010 as the third chocolate museum of the Van Belle family, after Bruges in 2004 and Prague in 2008. The family now runs Choco-Story museums in Colmar, Bruges, Brussels, Prague and Mexico as well. The collection numbers about 1,000 objects, many chosen by Eddy Van Belle.

From Maya cacao to European chocolate pots

The route starts with the cacao tree and the place of cocoa among the Maya and Aztecs, shown through grinding stones and drinking cups. Later rooms follow chocolate to Europe, where it became a fashionable drink served from special pots, many on display beside old moulds, treatises and advertising. The last section explains how beans are fermented, roasted and turned into bars and pralines. Interactive and digital displays run along the way, and a chocolate sculpture about 3 metres tall, made from roughly 200 kg of chocolate, is a favourite photo stop.

Virtual chocolatiers and tastings on the route

Three virtual chocolatiers, all Meilleurs Ouvriers de France, demonstrate chocolate-making techniques on screen, and visitors taste single-origin chocolates and fair-trade samples along the route. A "Wall of Fame" features celebrities who love chocolate. Children receive a Playmobil treasure hunt booklet, and there is a play area.

Make-your-own chocolate workshops

Hands-on workshops let visitors make their own chocolates; the standard workshop is for ages seven and over, includes the museum visit and costs about €50 per person. Birthday workshops and group workshops are also offered. Book in advance.