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Museum · Bruges, Flandres Ocidental
Choco-Story
Chocolate museum in a 16th-century house just a few steps from the Markt. It tells the story of cacao from the Mayas and Aztecs to Belgian pralines and ends with a demonstration of chocolate-making.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Choco-Story
Choco-Story occupies the Huis de Crone, a 16th-century house on the corner of Wijnzakstraat and Sint-Jansstraat, next to the small Sint-Jansplein. The building was once a wine tavern, a bakery and a furniture workshop before becoming a museum. The project was created by the Van Belle family, connected to Belgium's chocolate industry.
The route begins in Central America, with cacao from the Mayas and Aztecs, who used the beans as a ritual drink and even as currency. It then follows the arrival of chocolate in Europe via the Spanish, its role as a luxury court beverage and its transformation into an industrial product.
The Belgian section shows how the country became a benchmark in chocolate, with the invention of the filled praline and the metal molds used to make figures. There are display cases with cups, porcelain chocolate pots, old packaging and a section on cacao and health.
At the end, a chocolatier gives a live demonstration and explains tempering, the process that gives chocolate its shine and snap. The tasting at the end helps to understand the differences between cacao types.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Between one hour and one and a half hours, including the final demonstration.
Best time
Open every day. Weekday mornings are calmer; on weekends and during European school holidays many families arrive in the afternoons. Check the opening hours before you go.
How to get there
It is on Wijnzakstraat, about a three-minute walk from the Markt along Sint-Jansstraat. From Brugge station, take a De Lijn bus to the center and a short walk.
Tip
A good option for a rainy day and for those traveling with children. Demonstrations take place at intervals throughout the day: ask at the entrance when the next one is and plan your visit to finish with it.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Choco-Story
What can you see at Choco-Story?
The history of cocoa from the Maya and Aztecs, its arrival in Europe, the Belgian industry and, at the end, a live demonstration of chocolate-making.
Is the museum suitable for children?
Yes. The route is short, it has objects and a live demonstration, and it usually appeals to those traveling with family.
Which building houses the museum?
In the Huis de Crone, a 16th-century house near the Markt that was once a wine tavern, a bakery and a furniture workshop.