Last summer, I took my mom and my youngest to Europe for three weeks, and we spent not long enough in Geneva, but one thing I’m so glad we did was utilize the Choco Pass to taste and enjoy that famous Swiss chocolate.
In full disclosure, we did receive a complimentary Choco Pass during our visit. We had planned to purchase it no matter what, however, because the idea behind it was beyond intriguing to us.
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What is the Choco Pass?
If you love chocolate and have even just one day in Geneva, you want to purchase the Choco Pass. This self-guided chocolate tour takes you to ten of the city’s most renowned chocolatiers, where you sample a variety of treats as you explore the city.
The Choco Pass is an official pass offered by Geneva Tourism that is like a chocolate lover’s passport. At each designated shop, you get samples of exquisite Swiss chocolate and it was generally several pieces at each location.
Because you do not have a set time – aside from when each shop is open – you can visit whichever shop is closest to where you happen to be in Geneva at any given time during the 24 hours your pass is valid. This lets you visit the Rousseau Museum (Maison Rousseau et Literature) and pop by the nearest shop for a treat afterwards.
You can purchase the Choco Pass online or at Geneva’s tourism office in person. Your 24 hour clock doesn’t start ticking until you visit your first shop and scan your pass, so you have plenty of time to taste your way through the city.
How Much Does the Choco Pass Cost?
The Choco Pass costs 30 CHF for adults and is just 6 CHF for children 12 and under, making it a great scavenger hunt-like activity for families, couples, or solo travelers.
The children’s pass offers different and fewer items than the adult pass. If you have a child who really enjoys chocolate, I suggest you purchase the full price version, as it is well worth the cost.
If you purchase CityPass Geneva – which I also recommend if you plan to spend any time doing “touristy things” there, then you get a 20 percent discount on the Choco Pass, making it even more affordable.
There are no refunds on the pass, and the cost is the same whether you visit a single chocolate shop or all ten. Obviously, the more places you visit, the more economical each sampling becomes.
How Does the Choco Pass Work?
Once you purchase your Choco Pass, you have a scannable ticket with a code, which must be presented at each participating chocolatier. Each location has a set sampling included, so you don’t get to pick and choose what you want, and some stores have them prepackaged for you.
If you purchase the pass online, you must print it before visiting the shops. The tourism office told us – and two stores confirmed for us – that digital versions are not accepted.
The scan tracks each store you visit. You can visit each one only once, even if you cannot visit all the stores who participate in the Choco Pass experience.
The pass is valid for 24 hours after the first, so plan accordingly to make the most of your experience. You can purchase your Choco Pass up to a year before you first use it before it expires, so this makes a great gift for someone planning a trip to Geneva.
You do not need to eat each chocolate in the store or immediately, although many of the children’s options are designed to be eaten in store. We visited as many shops as we could and enjoyed the packaged chocolates over the next few days as it was too much to eat in one 24 hour period.
Note that many stores are not open on Sundays, and each store store sets its own hours. I strongly recommend that you research and then map out which stores you plan to visit at what times to ensure you aren’t disappointed.
The chocolate shops are small and often family-owned. There isn’t a lot of room to maneuver for large groups, so be aware that there is a maximum of eight people allowed inside the shops at one time.
What Chocolatiers Can You Visit?
Switzerland is known for its chocolate, and you will go past many more chocolatiers beyond just these as you visit each chocolate shop on the tour. The Choco Pass has partnered with 10 different shops to give you a wide variety of different flavors to try.
This list is current as of the writing of the article, but the locations may change over time. You can always verify on the Choco Pass website who currently participates, and many also share what they include as a part of their tasting.
Du Rhône Chocolatier is known for its rich pralines and delicate ganaches. It’s been a Geneva institution since 1875, and they are one of many not open on Sundays and close at 6pm on most other days.
Chocolats Favarger is a legendary chocolatier that has been making chocolate in Geneva since 1826. It is famous for its traditional avelines, which are hazelnut-filled chocolates, and you receive this along with three other chocolate flavors.
Chocolaterie Canonica may sound familiar to some, as it has locations in airports and cities around the world, but this is a traditional Swiss chocolatier. This store also includes a snack shop, and it’s a great place to enjoy a savory treat, as well.
Carrack was not a part of the tour when we took this, but it is now one of the shops you can visit for not just chocolates but also a spoonful of their chocolate spread. This shop is not open on the weekends, and it is also closed the last week of December.
Guillaume Bichet has multiple locations, so be sure you go to the correct one (we went to the wrong one the first time!) and specializes in the princess almond. This was one of the few places that allowed us to select some of the chocolate flavors, and you also get a 10 percent discount on anything you buy while visiting with the Choco Pass.
La Bonbonnière – This artisanal shop offers unique flavor combinations, often inspired by Geneva’s local ingredients. As its flavors change, you are also able to select some of the flavors of your chocolates at this delightful shop.
Sweetzerland may have the most fun name of all the stores on the tour. They also have locations in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, but there is just one adorable location in Geneva that creates high-end chocolate with as many locally-sourced ingredients as possible.
Zeller Chocolatier has been making chocolates for over 60 years in Geneva. They have a box of chocolates for you filled with selected options, and this might have been the first one to disappear in our group.
Mr&Mrs Renou is another shop that was not a part of the tour when we did it, but they offer Mac Sables, which is a treat that is reminiscent of a macaron but with two shortbread cookies coated in chocolate and then filled like a sandwich. You will want to use the 10 percent discount you have in this shop, as well.
La Maison Martel is one of the oldest chocolatiers, having been around for over 200 years. The long lineage means you have a variety of traditions from pave to rocher to princess almonds, and more.
Why is Swiss Chocolate So Special?
Swiss chocolate has a reputation for being some of the best in the world, and Geneva has always been a big piece of that history. Starting in the 19th century, innovators like Rodolphe Lindt began developing techniques such as conching, which gives Swiss chocolate its signature smooth texture.
Many Geneva-based chocolatiers still handcraft their chocolates using traditional methods and operate from bean to bar, and the ownership of the entire process makes a difference. The chocolatiers do not use fillers and other chemicals to make chocolate easier to work with or have a longer shelf life, so this is not the type of flavor you’ll get from commercial chocolate elsewhere.
How to Make the Most of Your Choco Pass Experience
Before you start, figure out which shops are open on what days and map out which stores you will visit when. You can start at 2 or 3 in the afternoon one day and finish by that time the next day, which may make it easier to visit as many of the shops as you wish.
Many chocolatiers are located near Geneva’s famous attractions, such as Lake Geneva, the Jet d’Eau, and the Old Town, so take your time exploring. You don’t have to make the Choco Pass your sole focus of the day.
Most importantly, ask questions. The staff we met were delightful, and the chocolatiers love sharing about their process, ingredients, and recommendations.
Plan to purchase additional chocolate and related products as gifts. We bought some, but I regret not having brought home more edible souvenirs for everyone, especially as some shops offer a discount when you visit with the Choco Pass.
Is the Choco Pass Worth It?
If you’re a fan of chocolate, this isn’t even a question. It’s a unique way to experience Geneva, and you are able to explore different areas of the city and you hunt for the shops.
It’s a very affordable cost, especially if you pair it with CityPass Geneva and the 20% discount, which makes it 24 CHF for adults and under 5 CHF for children. You are able to talk to and learn from the chocolatiers in the shops, which makes it as educational as it is tasty.
The shops are also very different. Some have a very modern feel, while others feel like you stepped back in time as you enter them. The chocolates offered are all different with different styles and flavors, so you get a good representation of what Swiss chocolate can be.
The Choco Pass is fun whether you’re visiting Geneva for the first time or returning for your 20th trip. It’s a low-stress and fun activity that everyone in our group enjoyed, and it’s appealing for kids and adults.
Where Should I Stay in Geneva?
Before our trip, we did a LOT of research to determine the hotel that would work the best for us. In the end, we booked the Hotel Bristol, and it was perfect for us.
The hotel was in walking distance from the train station, though my friends took a car as they had more luggage than we did. It is also centrally located in Geneva, which made it easy to get to all the sites we wanted to visit.
The hotel itself had an old world feel to it, which we loved. Our rooms were large, though they did only sleep two, and this was one destination where we chose to book two rooms for my mom, my kid, and myself.
They also offer a complimentary breakfast as part of your reservation as an option, and I highly recommend including it. The breakfast buffet was vast with so many choices, and the juices and coffee options meant we almost weren’t hungry for lunch.
Best of all, this was one of the more affordable hotels we found. We stayed in early June, and Geneva is not a cheap city, but we were pleased with the rate we had and felt like it was a good value and would definitely stay here again.
What is your favorite activity in Geneva?
