A new kind of international chocolate festival lands in Bordeaux with 90 artisans

The Salon du Chocolat is a true institution in the capital. Many activities surrounding this ultra-gourmet ingredient are offered every year, starting from 1995.

And fans of this specialty will soon be delighted. A second event of this kind will soon take place in a major city in the South-West. 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 May 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 over 90 artisans from Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. The aim of this new type of exhibition? To present their creations and share their expertise with the public.

The objective of this new type of exhibition is twofold: to allow visitors to discover original and exceptional creations, and to offer artisans a unique platform to share their expertise, creativity, and passion for artisanal chocolate. Beyond tasting, the festival promises a true immersion into the world of cocoa.

“With ShowColat, we wanted to create a festival that is accessible, both demanding and educational, to introduce the real chocolate to the general public,” said Vincent Ferreira, president of the European Bean-to-Bar Association. The professional aims to highlight all aspects of this exceptional product. Conferences will specifically address cocoa industry issues (deforestation, price increases, transportation, and sustainability).

And good news: to discover them, there is no need to spend a lot of money. Access to the ShowColat Festival is free and open to all.

What are the highlights of this exhibition?

The Festival ShowColat offers a rich and varied program for all audiences. Visitors can discover an immersive museum of 200 m² dedicated to the history of chocolate and its transformation process from bean to bar, or have fun with the escape game “Chocolate Crime.” This activity is also suitable for children aged 12 and above.

A bar for hot chocolates 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 4pm to 7pm. As Venezuela is the guest of honor for this first edition, you will be able to explore an area dedicated to this country known for its exceptional fine cacaos.

Author: Margot Iodice Editor After training as a journalist at ESJ Paris and gaining several experiences in women’s magazines, I chose to combine my two passions: writing, cooking, and specifically pastry. My favorite dessert: tiramisu without hesitation. Always on the lookout for new culinary news and eager to discover new ways of cooking, I will find you all the recipes and good tips from your favorite chefs.