Belgian Chocolate Village

About the museum

Since the 19th century many chocolate makers have settled in Koekelberg. The Belgian Chocolate Village occupies the former site of Biscuiteries Chocolateries Victoria, a setting in Art Deco style with ceramic murals from 1904, a grand central staircase and Belle Époque woodwork. The museum opened in 2010 in this heritage building.

Across some 900 m², the scenographic route tells the story of Belgian chocolate, from the cocoa bean to the bar: stages of production, uses, economics and variety. It uses multimedia staging, numerous touchscreens and audio guides in seven languages, including a version for children. The visit continues with demonstrations in the workshop of the artisan chocolatiers, a pause in the tasting lounge and the shop.

The history of the site is also that of the brand: the Big Nuts bar, now sold under the Côte d'Or brand, was created in 1953 by the Victoria chocolate factory. As a young man Jacques Brel is said to have delivered cartons there for the family company Vanneste & Brel.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition of chocolate replicas of Brussels monuments
• Indoor tropical greenhouse with cocoa trees, vanilla plants and pepper plants
• Demonstration workshop with artisan chocolatiers
• “Belle Époque” tasting lounge and shop
• Audio guides in seven languages, with a version for children
• Former Victoria factory with Art Deco décor

Permanent exhibitions

• Parcours scénographique du chocolat belge – Multimedia route from bean to bar, with touchscreens and chocolate replicas of Brussels monuments.
• Serre tropicale – Indoor greenhouse where cocoa trees and other exotic plants grow, such as banana, vanilla, pepper and ginger plants.

Founded

2010

Admission & discounts

The rate includes entry, a meeting with an artisan chocolatier and a tasting. Workshops (making mendiants or pralines) and guided tours are charged extra, by reservation.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to Brussels Museums: accessible to wheelchair users and to pedestrians with reduced mobility; adapted toilets; assistance for blind and partially sighted visitors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Audio guide for children, demonstrations in the workshop, a programme for schools (interactive visit, teaching pack in French and Dutch, demonstration) and a birthday package for ten children with a visit, a workshop and drinks.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

“Belle Époque” tasting lounge with a chocolate counter and a shop with craft chocolates from across Belgium.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 150 guests.

Tailor-made programmes for companies (meetings, staff parties, product launches…) for groups of 2 to 150 people; private hire by the hour on request.

Plan your visit