A story that began in 1819
François-Louis Cailler founded his chocolate business in 1819 in Vevey, on the shores of Lake Geneva. Cailler is today the oldest chocolate brand still in existence in Switzerland. In 1898, his grandson Alexandre-Louis Cailler opened a new factory in Broc, in the Gruyère region, an area renowned for the quality of its milk. In 1929, the company was bought by Nestlé and became one of the group's brands. Cailler chocolate is still made in Broc, in the historic building that now welcomes visitors.
The visitor experience
Launched in 2010 on the factory site, Maison Cailler offers a tour in several stages. The first part, playful and interactive, tells the story of the Cailler family and the great names of Swiss chocolate. The second part is devoted to production. You touch and examine the raw ingredients, discover the people who produce them, then watch a production line making chocolate branches. The tour ends with a tasting of the house specialities.
Milk from the Gruyère region
Broc was no accidental choice. Cailler chocolate is made with milk from the region, the same pastureland that produces Gruyère AOP. Chocolate and cheese thus share the same landscape of meadows and dairy cows. This link makes Maison Cailler a natural complement to the nearby cheese dairy in Pringy. A shop at the end of the tour lets you take home bars and pralines.
Visiting tips
Maison Cailler is open every day except 25 December and 1 January, with opening hours that vary by season. Last entry is one hour before closing. Tickets can be booked online to avoid queuing, which we recommend in high season. The visit is a great favourite with families: the tour is interactive and the tasting delights young and old alike. The visit is also included in the PocketPass La Gruyère.
