exploring the chocolate museum of Bromont, Quebec
Many of you enjoyed last week’s post about the fine accommodations that hosted us during our visit to the Eastern Townships of Quebec. This week’s post introduces you to a noteworthy chocolate museum you will find while exploring this delightful region.
No chocolate lover’s visit to the Eastern Townships would be complete without a visit to the Chocolate Museum in Bromont. I was really impressed with La Musée du chocolat de la confiserie Bromont. Co-owner and founder Michel Bilodeau is an avid historian and has put tremendous effort into collecting memorabilia from the world of chocolate.
Michel Bilodeau may not like to smile for the camera, but he is a super friendly and approachable man of chocolate who loves sharing his enthusiasm with visitors to Bromont, a very popular skiing destination during the winter season.
the chocolate museum in Bromont, Quebec, is a great place to learn about and enjoy chocolate in various forms
I have visited many chocolate museums around the world, but there was something special about the Musee du Chocolat in Bromont. I think it’s because it was designed and filled with such passion! Michel Bilodeau is infinitely passionate about each and every artifact in this museum that he and his partner first opened in 1994. With the addition of a café with spacious outdoor patio and chocolate shop that offers a wide range of confections and fine chocolate from around the world as well as chocolate confections and ice-cream made on-site, the building has expanded to 3,500 square feet of space indoors on 4.5 acres of land.
Michel Bilodeau stands in front of a map showing chocolate consumption and cocoa growing regions of the world. Much of the signage at the chocolate museum is in French, but Michel speaks perfect English and conducts tours in both English and French.
You will find an assortment of chocolate sculptures that Michel has commissioned over the years, chocolate packaging from many confectioners, maps and props pertaining to the world of cocoa production and consumption, and possibly the world’s most passionate friend of chocolate, who personally delivers guided tours to visitors.
Chocolate lovers of all ages and tastes will find something that they will really enjoy at the Musee du Chocolat in Bromont, including the fabulously sophisticated chocolate of Jean Galler of Belgium to pure chocolate bars from Marou of Vietnam.
“I want to share the pleasure of chocolate with people. That is my mission, and why we opened the chocolate museum and why we host our annual chocolate festival, “says Michel. “And that’s why accessibility is our main focus. I try to keep the prices of our chocolate down so that all people can afford and enjoy it.”
Whether you like your hot chocolate pure and dark or rich and creamy, you will find just the right one for you at the Musee du Chocolat in Bromont, Quebec. The dark chocolate version on the left contains 30 grams of chocolate. The milk chocolate version on the right is richer and creamier. Both are delicious.
If you are able to time your visit to Bromont during the second half of May, you will be in luck to attend La Fête du Chocolat, an annual event that is held the last two weekends of May and attracts 50,000 chocolate lovers each year. I am seriously hoping I will be able to swing that next year. Hope to see you there!
Oh my gosh, I am checking out my map right now to see if we’ll be going through Bromont on our upcoming Canada trip! I am in love with French hot chocolate! The best I’ve ever had was at Anjolina’s in Paris!
Hi, Tami. Indeed! French hot chocolate is delicious. I hope you make your way to Bromont. It is quite the adventure!
Wow! That museum looks both fun and delicious Doreen.
Absolutely, Sherryl! That’s what makes the Musee du Chocolat in Bromont a must-see for any chocolate lover who is visiting the Eastern Townships of Quebec.
I have never been to any Chocolate museum and would love to visit this one for sure as we too are chocolate lovers. It will be a special treat for us.
Chocolate museums are a great way to learn about the world of chocolate. Do an internet search to see if there is one in your region, or in a destination you soon plan to visit. You will undoubtedly enjoy it!
Chocolate festival sounds delicious. Doreen I love following your blog and your passion for chocolate is really incredible. Now I think in this post I just found another person like you!
Thanks, Tania. And, yes. I don’t mind being compared to Michel one bit. He is an extremely passionate man of chocolate. Cheers, and thx to you and all for your delicious comments. 🙂
An entire museum devoted to chocolate is definitely a sweet treat for chocolate lovers. The chocolate fest sounds really exciting. Anything for chocolate.
Hi Sandy. You’d be surprised just how many chocolate museums there are in the world. And they’re all different. Always fascinating, with a local spin.
“I want to share the pleasure of chocolate with people. That is my mission”
Sounds like you are cut from the same cloth!!
For sure we are, Chris. Can you imagine a small town like Bromont attracting 50,000 people for its Chocolate Fest! Michel definitely knows what he’s doing, and I can’t wait to see him in action next May. Thx for stopping by.
I am always in for some chocolate. I just love them and so does my daughter. Thanks for this mouth watering trip around the chocolate museum Doreen. I will keep this one in mind when visiting this part of the world.
Oh my!! A chocolate dream come true. I am glad they made a success of their museum, cafe and shop. Hard work and passion paid off for them!
So true, Mariyn. If we have determination and a clear vision, we can make just about any dream come true.
That chocolate museum looks phenomenal. I am almost ready to jump in my car now and go there. Lucky for me Hershey Pennsylvania is along the way. I can probably find other chocolate places too. A chocolate road trip!
Hi Charles. Believe me, if there is chocolate to be found, I will find it! That’s the cool thing about chocolate. It is loved virtually everywhere in the world (inn some form or other) and so the possibilities to chocolate travel are endless. Stay tuned for lots more!
That’s awesome that the U.S. consumes 25% of chocolate. It is so delicious. I’d like to visit that museum someday. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I have a HUGE sweet tooth so this would be an absolute dream day out!
Hi Danielle: You would indeed be able to find some sweeter chocolate at the Chocolate Museum of Bromont. But you will also find plenty of chocolate creations that are not that sweet. There is something for everyone!
Chocolate Museum looks like a heaven for the chocolate lovers. I am literally smelling chocolates right now 🙂
Nowadays,I am off chocolates and sweets due to diet restrictions. But I can’t deny that thinking or reading about chocolates trigges an urge to indulge in them. Your post gave me back that urge now.
Hello Moumita and thank you for your comment. If you focus purely on dark chocolate of 70% cocoa or higher, you will find it is actually GOOD for your diet, as it acts as an appetite suppressant if you eat a large square of dark chocolate before your meal. It is also OK for diabetics and good for brain power. So enjoy dark chocolate in moderation! 🙂
Thx, William. The really cool thing is that u can find great chocolate just about anywhere!
Even though I live in Upstate NY, and near Canada, I was unaware of the great chocolate producing community in Canada. Your posts have really opened up my eyes to this.
So nice to have a focus for all your travels! This little museum looks like an especially good find for chocolate lovers How far is Bromont from Quebec City?
It’s about 3-hours from QC, Kristin.
I loved the Bromont chocolate museum because of its unique artifacts, including the almost identical chocolate box designs for Laura Secord and her American counterpart. Who copied whom? And Michel is such a delight – so passionate, warm and interesting. It’s definitely worth a visit just to see the museum, but be sure to indulge in his dark hot chocolate and incredibly diverse chocolate shop while you are there. Latch on to one of his tours to get the full experience.
Right on, Virginia! You’ve definitely captured the spirit of Michel and the wonderful Musee du Chocolat in Bromont. Thx for joining me on the adventure! 🙂
Make mine dark chocolate! The chocolate museum in Bromont, Quebec may be off the beaten path, but what a delicious detour…I always enjoy your chocolate escapades, and this one looks to be especially yummy!
Thx so much, Anita! Great having you along (virtually) on my chocolate travels.
This place looks great. I’m hoping to visit Quebec very soon. Adding the Chocolate Museum to my list of stops!
I had no idea before I started reading your blog that there was much more to chocolate than buying and eating. The museum and the festival sound like serious stuff!
Thanks, Karen. I’m glad I’m getting the message across. There is much more to there world of chocolate than just eating chocolate! 🙂
Not only have we never been to a chocolate museum but I don’t think it has ever occurred to us. As luck would have it we will be in Quebec City next year (or the year after) and so I might just put Bromont on our to-visit list.
Hi Lyn: It’s about a 3-hour drive from Bromont to Quebec City. Half that to Montreal. I hope you will find the time to get there, but if not keep your eyes open for other chocolate museums. I will mentioning another one next week. Cheers!
I really like Michael’s approach to chocolate as something to be enjoyed rather than just a money-making business. I think that may have contributed to his success since 1994! His dedication and commitment to his passion is admirable.
Right on, Emily! My friend and I were both so impressed with Michel’s passion for and knowledge about the world of chocolate. the world needs more Michel’s! 🙂
This is the ideal museum for you! I’m sure I would enjoy it, too, and so would my chocoholic husband. 🙂 If I ever return to Quebec, I’d definitely seek this out and ask for a guided tour…and a cup of that yummy-looking hot chocolate!
Hi Debbie and thx for your comment. Bromont is about 90 minutes from Montreal, so quite accessible. But it does take a concerted effort to get there as it is definitely off the beaten path.
You find some of the most interesting chocolate venues of anyone I know! Keep them coming.
That us one of the highest points of praise you could give me, Jackie. Thx very much. I shall keep trying!
Hi Doreen – this place looks like so much fun! I think the passion that Michel has for chocolate really comes through in his belief that it should be shared and available to everyone. I could easily understand it if he wanted to charge more for his creations, but it’s really wonderful he doesn’t. Love this!
I agree, Janice. I appreciate the dedication of some of the artisan chocolate makers who want to improve the standard of life for the Cocoa farmers, and therefore charge more for their bars. But it then becomes an ironic twist of fate in that only the elite can afford some of those bars.
Who wouldn’t enjoy a visit to a museum devoted to chocolate? Pour me a glass of red wine to go with that tour and I’d be set. It’s always fun to have a tour with someone with great passion about what they do.
Hi RoseMary. I think you’d really enjoy the positive spirit that Michel I stills into his chocolate tours.
It’s amazing how large the world of chocolate really is, even in Canada. I’m happy you have done all the “hard” work to bring all of these places to us. (I know you work devilishly hard on this, but when it hits the public eye, it just looks like you wandered into the best job in the world.)
Thx so much for those words of support, Wendy. It’s that encouragement that keeps me going!
Hi Doreen. It looks like a wonderful place to visit. Who wouldn’t want a yummy hot chocolate after skiing when it looks so inviting.
Q: Is that a mold that Mr. Bilodeau is holding. It kind of looks like “Oscar”. Do you know?
Hi Janet and thanks for your comment! Michel is holding a chocolate sculpture that an artisan created for the comets he held for unique chocolate creations. How these are done is that the chocolate sculptor will take a big block of chocolate and carve away at it to make his/her own unique creation. Kind of like how craftsmen do chainsaw carving our of large pieces of wood–only on a smaller scale. Although I have certainly see many life-sized chocolate sculptures. Stay tuned for more posts about Quebec chocolate that will show you some.
Michel smiles with his eyes! 😉
He does indeed, Linda. but in person, you will see his very big and warm smile which I suspect he prefers not to share with the camera. thx for stopping by. 🙂
Doreen – thank you for giving us a little insight into “your world of chocolate”. I like the way in which you educate us as well as draw us in with your photographs of chocolate treats.
I would enjoy visiting this museum and drinking the rich, dark chocolate. Some years ago I mistakenly stumbled into a chocolate store instead of the coffee shop next door. Once I realised, I ordered a rich chocolate drink which tasted just like melted chocolate!
Hi Phoenicia. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the chocolate journeys I am taking. I always hope to educate and titillate my readers with the deliciousness of chocolate–in its many forms!
Oh, now that would be really fun place to visit.
You’d love it, Susan! Maybe we should up there next May for the Fete du Chocolat?! 🙂
This certainly looks like an fun museum to visit. And both cups of hot chocolate look delicious!
Hi Donna, and thx for being the first to comment on this delicious post! I really enjoyed my visit to Bromont, It is a really cute town, full of tradition, and a great chocolate adventure!