Choco-Story Brussels

About the museum

The museum grew out of a family passion for chocolate: it opened in 1998 on the Grand-Place in Brussels and is now on rue de l'Étuve, a short walk from the Grand-Place and the Manneken-Pis. It is part of the Fascineum group of museums and presents itself as Belgium's first chocolate museum.

Over three floors, the route tells roughly 5,000 years of the history of cocoa and chocolate, using more than 600 collection objects and interactive kiosks. Visitors walk through a Mayan temple, board Cortés's ship, which brought the cocoa beans to Europe, discover how chocolate was drunk at the French court in the 17th century, and see how it took the form of the Belgian praline at the start of the 20th century.

The visit includes an audio guide, chocolate tastings and a demonstration of artisan praline making. The museum also runs workshops in its own production room, where you can make chocolate bars, lollipops and mendiants. The museum's chocolate carries the Cacao Trace label, a sustainability programme for cocoa producers.

Highlights

• More than 600 collection objects covering 5,000 years of cocoa history
• Mayan temple and Cortés's ship along the route
• Demonstration of artisan Belgian praline making
• Chocolate tastings and audio guide included in the ticket
• Chocolate workshops: bars, lollipops and mendiants

Permanent exhibition

• Parcours du musée du cacao et du chocolat – Over three floors, 5,000 years of cocoa history, from the Mayan temple to the Belgian praline, with more than 600 collection pieces, interactive kiosks, a demonstration and tastings.

Founded

1998

Operated by

Fascineum

Admission & discounts

The ticket includes admission, the audio guide and a tasting of artisan chocolate. Online booking strongly recommended to avoid queues. Choco-Story Brussels is included in the Brussels Card (on sale at the museum). Combined tickets are available with Belgian Beer World and the Atomium.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

Pushchairs are not admitted on the route (a pushchair park is provided). For specific needs, the museum refers visitors to its accessibility information page.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Kids’ birthday parties

Chocolate workshops for children from age 7 and birthday parties with a guided tour or workshop, by reservation. Pushchairs are not admitted on the route; a baby carrier is recommended.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at rue de l'Étuve 41, a short walk from the Grand-Place.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop selling chocolate products at the end of the visit. Suitcases and travel bags are not admitted into the rooms; an unsupervised storage area is available at the entrance.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Team building, corporate workshops and private hire of the museum; meeting room for up to 20 people.

Plan your visit