Explore the history of chocolate
at the Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate

The Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate, located just off the Grand Place at 9/11 Rue de la Tete d'Or, offers a walk down chocolate history lane. From its discovery by the Aztecs to its development on African cocoa bean plantations, to the invention of the Belgian praline, this museum tells the story of chocolate with photographs, posters, chocolate-making artifacts and even a few samples.


Created in 1998 by Mrs. J. Draps, third in line of a family of chocolate makers, The Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate is spread out over three floors of a Belgian walk-up restored in 1943.

Upon entrance, visitors receive a Speculoo cookie dipped in fresh Belgian chocolate as they take in chocolate-making machines, videos, and posters. Old chocolate molds, displayed in a glass case, come in all shapes and sizes including: Saint Nicholas, fish, waffles, seashells, turtle shells, bunnies and chickens. Also displayed is a 100-year-old almond broiler and a centrifuge machine for sugar created in 1910.

A master chocolatier works in a small chocolate workshop in the back on the first floor to demonstrate the making of Belgian pralines. At the end of the session, he offers onlookers a tasty sample of his work.

Up the two flights of stairs is a continuation of the chocolate story with more posters, artifacts - including chocolate molds dedicated to the Belgian Royal family - more video and a canoe used by Island natives on their cocoa bean harvesting missions.

Granted, museums are supposed to house old things, but honestly, the Cocoa and Chocolate Museum needs to be updated. Housed in a perfect location in a quaint and historical Belgian house, the Brussels-Belgium-Travel-Guide would like to see this museum infused with some chocolate cash and modernized with contemporary exhibits, videos, and better lighting to show that not only does Belgium have a place in chocolate history, but that the country also plays an important role on the world stage of chocolate.

Days & Hours
From Tuesday to Sunday,10 am to 4:30 pm
Closed on Monday, except July and August, and on holidays!

Prices
Adults: € 5
Children (-12 years old) free, with parents
Students, seniors: €4
Other groups (+15 pers.):€4
Guided tour in the museum:€40 (1 hour) (1 guide for maximum group size of 25)

Contact Information
Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate
Rue de la Tête d'Or, 9/11
1000 Brussels (Belgium)
Tel: +32 (0)2 514 20 48
Email: [email protected]

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