I’ve found heaven – in a little Swiss bar
I AM looking at the conveyor belt of my dreams. Bite-size cylinders of chocolate whirr past, bound for a colourful casing and, a few hours later, a shop shelf. Such is the growl in my stomach, if one of these delicious confections doesn’t come my way soon, I could throw a strop worthy of Veruca Salt herself.
Maison Cailler, Switzerland’s first chocolate factory, lies in the tiny village of Broc, in the ambrosial Fribourg region. Founder Francois-Louis Cailler became hooked on the sweet stuff in the early 19th Century after tasting it in Italy. When he returned home, he was certain the masses would want it too. Tourists, seduced by the idea of a chocolate factory with real history, are prepared to put the miles in for a decent bar. Many take the Chocolate Train, a Belle Epoque Pullman that funnels visitors here in a certain style.
During the tour there are hunger-inducing demonstrations of how chocolate goes from bean to bar. The best exhibits? An ethereal-looking statue sculptured from 90lb of dark chocolate and finished with gold leaf, and an early 20th Century grinding machine that might have made even Augustus Gloop think twice. When the invitation to taste everything from embossed truffles to ganachefilled cups finally comes, there are no Oompa-Loompas keeping an eye out for gluttony and I fall foul of temptation. I’m in chocolate heaven.
A tour of Maison Cailler costs about £7.50 (cailler.ch). Thomson Lakes & Mountains (thomsonlakes.co.uk) offers holidays to Switzerland.