Cailler-Nestlé Factory

If you are a devotee to the joys of chocolate, when planning your trip to Switzerland, include a visit Caillers-Nestlé factory located in the town of Broc (about 5 kilometers north of Gruyères). It’s history dates back to 1897 when Alexandre Cailler, who was bicycling through the area, discovered the perfect spot to open his new chocolate factory. Milk is one of the most important ingredients in producing fine chocolate, so when he saw so many lush pastures dotted by plump cows, Mr. Cailler decided that Broc would be the ideal place to set up shop. The factory is a bit out of the heart of town, but strategically placed signs lead you to it. From the moment you park your car and start walking toward the factory, you will immediately become aware of the fragrance of chocolate. The 45-minute tour begins with a video giving the history of chocolate. Then a guide leads you through various rooms with displays featuring its history, starting with the Aztecs who were the first to discover and use the cocoa bean from which they made a bitter drink. The Conquistadors brought this exotic bean back home and the cocoa drink became a favorite of the Spanish court. Later, the Swiss learned to further process the bean, combining it with rich cream, creating the wonderful chocolate we know today. Don’t leave before the end of the tour; it finishes in a tasting room where large tables are set with trays laden with samples of every imaginable kind of chocolate candy cut into small squares. You can nibble to your heart’s content—all included in the tour price. The factory is open for visitors from Monday afternoon through Friday from May 2 to the end of October (closed on holidays). The tours, which are limited in number of participants, are offered at 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:30 pm, and 4:00 pm.