Salon du Chocolat 2026 – Chocolate & Pastry Festival France

What to expect in 2026

Salon du Chocolat 2026 will transform Paris Expo Porte de Versailles into a major celebration of chocolate, cocoa, pastry, confectionery and culinary creativity from 28 October to 1 November 2026. The Paris edition brings together chocolatiers, pastry chefs, cocoa producers, artisans, chefs, brands and chocolate enthusiasts for five days of tastings, demonstrations, exhibitions, workshops and live entertainment. The organisers expect around 96,000 participants, approximately 240 exhibitors and more than 100 hours of events and interactive experiences.

The 2026 edition will place particular emphasis on craftsmanship and creativity. Visitors can discover chocolate and pastry products from France and around the world, watch professional demonstrations, attend conferences about cocoa and participate in hands-on workshops. The event is designed for families, food lovers, pastry enthusiasts and industry professionals.

One of the major changes for 2026 is the evolution of the famous chocolate fashion show into a musical show celebrating the show’s 30th anniversary. The programme also introduces new experiential spaces, including Choco’Live, while continuing popular attractions such as the Pastry Show, Cacao Show, gourmet workshops, chocolate sculptures and the international destinations area.

The event combines shopping with entertainment. Visitors can purchase chocolate bars, pralines, truffles, pastries, confectionery and specialist cocoa products directly from exhibitors while meeting the artisans behind them.

Event dates

Salon du Chocolat 2026 takes place from Wednesday, 28 October to Sunday, 1 November 2026 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles in Paris. The exhibition is open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

A special opening-night event takes place on Tuesday, 27 October from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, with separate admission.

The five-day public programme provides several opportunities to visit, although individual demonstrations, workshops and performances may operate at specific times.

Weekday and weekend tickets are separated into different ticket categories, so visitors should select the ticket corresponding to the day they intend to attend.

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Venue & festival site

Salon du Chocolat 2026 is held at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Pavilion 5, at 1 Place de la Porte de Versailles, 75015 Paris. The exhibition centre provides a large indoor environment for exhibitors, stages, tasting areas and interactive experiences.

The main exhibition is divided into themed areas so visitors can explore different aspects of the chocolate and pastry world.

Pastry Show: A live stage where leading pastry chefs and master chocolatiers demonstrate techniques and prepare creations in front of visitors.

Cacao Show: A conference and educational area exploring cocoa origins, production, quality, sustainability and chocolate-making.

Choco’Live: A new interactive space combining educational activities, demonstrations and specialist experiences.

Allée de l’Inspiration: An artistic area where chocolate becomes the material for sculptures, costumes and creative installations.

Cake Time: A dedicated space for discovering and tasting sophisticated pastry creations.

International Destinations Pavilion: A section highlighting chocolate and cocoa traditions from different countries.

En Résidence: A changing space where chocolatiers and pastry chefs create and share original products directly with visitors.

Full food & drink programme

Chocolate and pastry are at the centre of the food programme, but the exhibition covers considerably more than packaged chocolate products.

Visitors can explore artisan chocolate-making, bean-to-bar products, pralines, truffles, filled chocolates, chocolate bars, biscuits, cakes, viennoiseries, desserts and confectionery. Pastry chefs demonstrate professional techniques while exhibitors present products ranging from traditional French specialities to contemporary creations.

The 2026 programme also highlights cocoa itself. Conferences examine cocoa-producing countries, origins, terroirs, production systems, sustainability and the transformation of cocoa beans into finished chocolate.

The show provides opportunities to taste products throughout the exhibition. Some exhibitors focus on take-home products, while others present fresh pastry and desserts designed for immediate consumption.

The programme includes:

• Chocolate bars and couverture chocolate
• Pralines and filled chocolates
• Truffles and ganaches
• Caramels and confectionery
• Chocolate pastries
• Cakes and plated desserts
• Viennoiseries
• Biscuits and cookies
• Cocoa and bean-to-bar products
• Regional and international chocolate specialities
• Tea and coffee-style pairings
• Chocolate-inspired drinks
• Pastry creations
• Gourmet gift products

Featured foods & specialties

Chocolate is available in almost every form at the show, from traditional French confectionery to innovative bean-to-bar creations.

Pralines: Filled and moulded chocolates remain a major attraction, with exhibitors presenting different fillings, textures and flavour combinations.

Ganaches: Visitors can compare dark, milk and white chocolate ganaches alongside more unusual flavour combinations.

Chocolate bars: Artisan and specialist producers offer bars featuring different cocoa origins, percentages, inclusions and flavour profiles.

Truffles: Traditional and contemporary truffles provide another opportunity to compare chocolate-making techniques.

Pastries: The Pastry Show and Cake Time areas place high-end French pastry at the centre of the visitor experience.

Bean-to-bar chocolate: Several exhibitors focus on traceability, cocoa origins and direct transformation of cocoa beans into chocolate. The official visitor routes specifically highlight exhibitors working with cocoa biodiversity and bean-to-bar production.

International specialities: The International Destinations Pavilion provides an opportunity to discover cocoa and chocolate traditions from different producing countries.

Seasonal creations: The event also features Christmas-oriented products, including advent calendars and Yule logs displayed at Santa’s House.

Restaurants, vendors & producers

The Salon du Chocolat brings together a wide variety of exhibitors, from established French chocolate houses to emerging artisans and international producers.

The organisers’ 2026 figures indicate approximately 240 exhibitors, giving visitors a substantial range of products and styles to discover.

The visitor routes also highlight numerous individual exhibitors and emerging brands. Examples from the 2026 programme include COPO, Fleurs de Chocolat, Fuzco, Cachoteries, Wonderland Pâtisserie, L’Atelier de Géraldine, Ara Chocolat, Melt, Chocolaterie Pépites, Rosita Chocolat and Les 3 Chocolats.

Other exhibitors focus on cocoa origins and biodiversity, including Songes et Cacao, Terre de Fèves, Shoukâ and Origines.

The event is especially useful for visitors who enjoy discovering smaller producers. The “Pépites” visitor route is specifically designed around emerging brands, innovative products and unexpected chocolate creations.

Visitors can also encounter major pastry names through the live demonstrations and special anniversary programming.

Wine, beer & beverage selection

Wine and beer are not the principal focus of Salon du Chocolat, which is primarily dedicated to chocolate, cocoa, pastry and confectionery.

However, beverages appear through tasting experiences and pairing concepts. The 2026 programme includes opportunities to explore chocolate with different drinks, while the new premium workshops specifically focus on the art of pairing chocolate with beverages.

Coffee and cocoa-related drinks are also naturally represented through exhibitors and specialist food concepts.

The event’s beverage experience is therefore best viewed as complementary to the chocolate and pastry programme. Visitors interested in pairing should pay particular attention to the gourmet workshops, premium workshops and specialist exhibitors.

Tastings, cooking demos & workshops

The 2026 edition provides a large number of demonstrations and hands-on experiences.

The Pastry Show is one of the signature attractions, featuring major pastry chefs and master chocolatiers demonstrating professional techniques live on stage. Visitors can watch preparation, decoration, assembly and finishing techniques while learning about the creative process behind professional pastry.

Pastry Show: Live demonstrations from leading pastry chefs and chocolatiers.

Gourmet Workshops: Hands-on sessions where visitors can create their own chocolate and pastry-inspired recipes.

Premium Workshops: New for 2026, these adult-oriented 90-minute sessions explore the art of chocolate pairings in a premium setting. The published price is approximately $41.00.

Adult Workshops: Available from age 13, with a 60-minute format. The published price is approximately $29.25.

Children’s Workshops: Designed for children aged 3 to 12, with a 45-minute format. The published price is approximately $14.04.

Cacao Show: Conferences explore cocoa origins, production, quality, sustainability and consumption trends.

Workshop spaces have limited capacity, so visitors interested in hands-on sessions should check registration requirements when purchasing tickets.

Ticket types & entry options

Salon du Chocolat 2026 offers several public ticket categories.

The published 2026 prices, converted from the official rates using an approximate exchange rate of €1 = $1.17, are:

• Adult weekday ticket: $18.72
• Adult weekend ticket: $23.40
• Student or reduced-mobility weekday ticket: $16.38
• Student or reduced-mobility weekend ticket: $19.89
• Family weekday ticket: $52.65 for four people
• Family weekend ticket: $65.52 for four people
• Child weekday ticket: $9.36
• Child weekend ticket: $11.70
• Opening-night adult ticket: $35.10
• Opening-night child ticket: $11.70
• Late-day adult/student/reduced-mobility ticket: $11.70
• Late-day child ticket: $5.85

Children under six receive free admission under the published standard ticket conditions. The late-day ticket provides access from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Each standard ticket is valid for one day only, and weekday and weekend tickets correspond to their respective dates.

VIP & premium experiences

The Gold Pass provides the closest equivalent to a VIP experience at Salon du Chocolat 2026.

The published price is approximately $46.80 for weekdays and $52.65 for weekends. The Gold Pass is valid for a specific selected date and includes several additional benefits.

Priority reception: Dedicated reception and priority entrance queue.

Complimentary drink: A hot beverage is included.

Chocolate gift: A chocolate treat is provided on-site.

Priority cloakroom: Free cloakroom access with priority service.

Fast Pass: Priority access for Santa’s House and the Yule Log exhibition.

Golden Square: Access to a reserved area for one of the two musical-show performances, subject to availability.

The new premium gourmet workshops also provide a more intimate experience, with 90-minute adult sessions dedicated to chocolate pairing.

Event rules

Salon du Chocolat has several visitor rules designed to manage a large indoor public event.

One-day validity: Standard tickets provide access for one day only.

No re-entry: Once visitors leave the exhibition, they cannot return using the same ticket.

Pets: Pets are not permitted, except guide dogs and assistance dogs.

Ticket format: Tickets can be presented digitally on a smartphone or tablet or printed on A4 paper.

Ticket resale: Unauthorised ticket resale is prohibited.

Refunds: Online tickets are generally non-refundable and non-exchangeable except in circumstances attributable to technical errors by the organiser.

Workshops: Paid workshops require both an event admission ticket and workshop registration.

Children: Children’s workshops are designed for ages 3 to 12, while adult workshops are available from age 13. Minors participating in adult workshops must remain under the supervision of their parent or legal guardian.

How to get there

Paris Expo Porte de Versailles is located in the 15th arrondissement and is one of Paris’s major exhibition centres.

The venue is particularly easy to reach by public transportation. Metro Line 12 serves Porte de Versailles, while Line 8 provides access via Balard. Tram Line T3 also stops at Porte de Versailles, and Bus Line 80 serves the exhibition area.

Visitors arriving from central Paris can use Metro Line 12 directly toward Porte de Versailles. The tram network is useful for travellers approaching from other parts of southern and western Paris.

International visitors can reach the venue from Paris’s airports by combining airport rail or bus connections with the Metro, tram or taxi.

Because the event takes place during a busy period in Paris, public transportation is generally a practical choice for visitors staying within the city.

Public transport & parking

Public transportation provides some of the simplest access to Salon du Chocolat.

Metro Line 12: Porte de Versailles station.

Metro Line 8: Balard station.

Tram T3: Porte de Versailles.

Bus Line 80: Porte de Versailles.

Visitors travelling by car can use parking facilities around Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Parking availability can become limited during major exhibitions, so visitors should check the current venue information before travelling.

The venue also provides accessibility facilities for visitors with reduced mobility.

An ATM is available near the entrance of the exhibition park, close to Monop’daily, although visitors are advised to prepare any required cash in advance because there is no ATM inside the exhibition itself.

Accommodation areas

Porte de Versailles and the surrounding 15th arrondissement are convenient areas for visitors who want to stay close to the exhibition centre. Hotels around Convention, Vaugirard and Porte de Versailles offer straightforward access to the venue.

Montparnasse is another useful base because of its transport connections and large selection of hotels and restaurants.

Visitors who want to combine Salon du Chocolat with sightseeing can stay in central Paris around Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Latin Quarter, Invalides or the Marais and use public transportation to reach Porte de Versailles.

For families, the 15th arrondissement can be particularly practical because it provides quieter accommodation options while remaining well connected to central Paris.

Food & drink highlights

Chocolate tasting: Exhibitor stands provide opportunities to discover chocolates ranging from classic French confectionery to modern bean-to-bar creations.

Pastry: The Pastry Show and Cake Time showcase professional pastry techniques and sophisticated desserts.

Cocoa origins: The Cacao Show explores producing countries, terroirs, production systems and cocoa quality.

Bean-to-bar: Specialist exhibitors demonstrate how cocoa beans are transformed into finished chocolate and highlight traceability and biodiversity.

International chocolate: The International Destinations Pavilion provides a journey through different cocoa and chocolate traditions.

Chocolate sculptures: Large artistic creations demonstrate the technical and creative possibilities of chocolate.

Seasonal desserts: Santa’s House features advent calendars, Yule logs and Christmas chocolate creations.

Gourmet workshops: Visitors can create their own recipes and experiment with chocolate and pastry techniques.

Premium pairings: The new premium workshop format focuses specifically on matching chocolate with complementary flavours and beverages.

Accessibility

Salon du Chocolat takes place at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, a major modern exhibition centre with facilities designed to accommodate visitors with reduced mobility.

Reduced-mobility visitors have a dedicated ticket category, with proof of disability required according to the official ticket conditions.

The exhibition centre provides accessible routes, lifts and adapted facilities. Visitors who require specific assistance should contact the organisers before arrival to confirm the latest arrangements.

The public transport network around Porte de Versailles also provides several options, although visitors should check current accessibility information for their chosen Metro or tram station before travelling.

The large exhibition can become busy, particularly on weekends, so visitors who require additional space or assistance may prefer quieter periods when possible.

Best days to attend

The best day depends on the type of experience visitors want.

Wednesday through Friday are likely to be more convenient for visitors who want to explore exhibitors at a less crowded pace and spend more time watching demonstrations or shopping.

Saturday and Sunday provide a strong family atmosphere and are suitable for visitors interested in the full entertainment programme, although the exhibition can be busier.

The opening night offers a separate evening experience for visitors who want to attend the event outside normal daytime hours.

Visitors interested in hands-on workshops should select the day on which their preferred workshop is scheduled rather than choosing solely according to crowd levels.

Those interested in the musical show should also check the daily performance schedule because the show is presented twice daily and reserved Golden Square access is subject to availability.

Previous year’s highlights

The 2025 edition demonstrated the scale of the Paris event, with more than 250 exhibitors, 30 countries represented, approximately 17,000 square metres of exhibition space and more than 300 events across five days. The programme included around 500 speakers and 43 chefs on the Pastry Show stage.

The 2025 edition also featured a major chocolate fashion show, with chocolate costumes created by pairs of chocolatiers and stylists. The show attracted significant attention for its combination of fashion, craftsmanship and edible art.

The Pastry Show provided live demonstrations by dozens of chefs, while the Village des Chefs by Gault & Millau created another culinary meeting point.

Competitions were also an important part of the programme, with awards covering areas such as chocolate craftsmanship, pastry, books and professional skills.

The event’s 2025 figures included 35 awards, three monumental chocolate sculptures and numerous educational and tasting experiences. These elements provided the foundation for the 2026 anniversary programme, which introduces a new musical-show format alongside additional interactive areas.

Official tickets

Salon du Chocolat 2026 tickets are available through the official ticketing system. Standard admission is offered for weekdays and weekends, with separate rates for adults, children, students and visitors with reduced mobility. Family tickets and a late-day ticket are also available.

The official 2026 adult admission is $18.72 on weekdays and $23.40 on weekends after conversion from the published rates. The Gold Pass is approximately $46.80 on weekdays and $52.65 on weekends.

Visitors interested in workshops should remember that workshop admission is separate from the general exhibition ticket.

The official ticket page also provides professional passes for the B2B Village, including a one-day professional pass of approximately $23.40 and a three-day professional pass of approximately $58.50.

Official Salon du Chocolat Paris tickets (https://www.salon-du-chocolat.com/en/paris/practical-info/buy-my-ticket)

Official Salon du Chocolat Paris (https://www.salon-du-chocolat.com/)