Visit a Swiss Chocolate Factory by Train

Take the Chocolate Train to the Swiss Cailler Nestlé Visitor Centre

The Cailler Nestle Visitor Centre

History of Cailler Nestlé Chocolate in Switzerland;

It was in 1697 that the Mayor of Zurich, Heinrich Escher, first introduced drinking chocolate to the Swiss nation after tasting it on a visit to Brussels but it was not until 1819 that Francois-Louis Cailler opened Switzerland’s first chocolate factory at Corsier near Vevey. Chocolate at this time in its history was of the dark variety until another Swiss, Daniel Peter, who was married to Cailler’s daughter, invented milk chocolate in 1875.

Switzerland was the birthplace of some of the most famous chocolatiers in history. Henri Nestlé, Francois-Louis Cailler and Daniel Peter were all born there and were instrumental in the international development of chocolate. The work of two of these chocolate pioneers is celebrated at the Cailler Nestlé Visitor Centre in Broc, in the Canton of Fribourg. There is no better way of getting there than catching the Swiss Chocolate Train.Switzerland is famous for its chocolate. Why not take the Swiss Chocolate Train to the Cailler Nestlé Visitor Centre and learn how this sweet is made from cocoa beans?

Henry Nestle

Peter achieved this new type of chocolate by combining the traditional cocoa with Henri Nestlé’s invention of condensed milk. The resulting smooth and creamy chocolate was a great success. According to the Swiss World website, milk chocolate currently accounts for over 80% of the Swiss chocolate market. By 1898, Cailler chocolate manufacturing had moved to Broc to make use of the milk produced in the Gruyère region. The factory has been there ever since.

Take the Swiss Chocolate Train to the Cailler Nestlé Factory

In 1929, the chocolate firms founded by Henri Nestlé and François-Louis Cailler merged to form Cailler Nestlé and the company still produces chocolate in Broc. The Swiss Chocolate train runs three times a week from May to October except in July and August when it runs daily. The all day train tour starts at Montreux and crosses the meadows of the Gruyère region. It incorporates a stop to allow travellers to tour a cheese factory.

The Flag of Switzerland

The train then continues its journey and arrives at the Cailler chocolate factory in the afternoon. In April 2010, Cailler will opened its new Visitor Centre at Broc-Gruyère where chocoholics can learn about the history of chocolate, take a factory tour and indulge in a free tasting session. There will also be the opportunity to buy Swiss chocolate at wholesale prices in the Centre’s shop.

Booking a Trip on the Swiss Chocolate Train

Details of the Swiss Chocolate Train, including timetables and fares can be found at the GoldenPass Line website for tourists who like to travel independently. For travellers who prefer package deals, several operators offer organised holidays which include overnight accommodation and travel from various European cities as well as the trip on the Chocolate Train and the tour of the Cailler Nestlé chocolate factory.