The Chocolate Show is considered a true institution in the capital. Numerous activities centered around this ultra-gourmet ingredient are offered every year since 1995.
And fans of this specialty will be delighted. A second event of this kind will soon take place in a major city in the Southwest. In Bordeaux, around a hundred artisans will gather to delight the taste buds of visitors.
Bordeaux establishes itself as the French capital of chocolate
From May 1st to 3rd, 2026, the Palais de la Bourse will host the ShowColat Festival, an event entirely dedicated to bean-to-bar chocolate organized by the European Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Association. This international event will bring together more than 90 artisans from Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. The goal of this new type of exhibition? To showcase their creations and share their expertise with the public.
The aim of this new type of exhibition is twofold: to allow visitors to discover original and exceptional creations, and to provide artisans with a unique platform to share their skills, creativity, and passion for artisanal chocolate. Beyond tasting, the festival promises a true immersion into the world of cocoa.
“ShowColat was created to be an accessible, demanding, and educational festival to introduce the general public to true chocolate,” said Vincent Ferreira, president of the European Bean-to-Bar Association. The professional aims to highlight all aspects of this exceptional product. Conferences will highlight cocoa sector issues such as deforestation, price increases, transportation, and sustainability.
Good news: to discover them, you don’t need to spend a lot. Access to the ShowColat Festival is free.
What are the highlights of this exhibition?
The ShowColat Festival offers a rich and varied program for all audiences. Visitors can explore an immersive 200m² museum dedicated to the history of chocolate and its transformation process, from bean to bar, or have fun with the “Chocolate Crime” escape game. This activity is also suitable for children from 12 years old.
A hot chocolate bar will be set up at the heart of the event. The festival will also host the European finals of the International Chocolate Awards on Saturday, May 2nd, from 4 pm to 7 pm. As Venezuela is the guest of honor for this first edition, you can discover a dedicated space to this country known for its exceptional fine cacaos.
