Chocolate is arguably one of life’s ultimate indulgences, and no one is more passionate about this decadent treat than the chef chocolatiers of Masion Cailler. Switzerland’s oldest still existing chocolate brand, Maison Cailler has been producing exceptional chocolates since 1819 making it a treasured part of the Alpine nation’s heritage.

Guests on our Majestic Switzerland luxury small group journey will visit Maison Cailler when in Gruyère. We had the pleasure of speaking to award-winning chef chocolatier Géraldine Mueller-Maras, Manager of the Ateliers du Chocolat at Maison Cailler, to learn more about this experience.

For travel inspiration: Switzerland destination guide

An exquisite mix of art and passion  

Photo credit: @cailler_suisse on Instagram

“There is an immense art and passion that goes into making chocolate,” says Géraldine. “In Swiss German, we call it the ‘schoggi job’ (Chocolate job), the best job in the world, because everyone is happy when they encounter chocolate!

“My grandfather was a pastry chef, so I always say that I have this chocolate running in my veins. I’ve worked here at Maison Cailler for 11 years now as a chocolatier and it’s wonderful for your passion to also be your profession.”

After completing a post-school apprenticeship as a pastry chef-confectioner in Switzerland, Géraldine worked in London with Swiss chef Anton Mosimann at The Belfry. She then switched to teaching and spent three  years in Australia at the Sydney branch of the Parisian culinary school Le Cordon Bleu and four years in the Bangkok branch

. An exceptional artist, Géraldine was crowned Swiss Chocolate Master in 2015 and the highest-ranking woman at the 2015 World Chocolate Masters in Paris.

Visit Maison Cailler on: Majestic Switzerland

Maison Cailler, a piece of Swiss history

Photo credit: @cailler_suisse on Instagram

Founded by François-Louis Cailler in 1819, Cailler is the oldest still existing Swiss chocolate brand and leads the country’s love affair with chocolate.

Cailler, a visionary entrepreneur, began selling this delectable treat in 1819. Inspired by the Industrial revolution and the emerging chocolate industry in Europe, he sought to create high-quality chocolates using innovative techniques. Maison Cailler quickly gained recognition for its exquisite chocolates, combining Swiss precision with a passion for craftsmanship. In 1929, the company merged with Chocolaterie Nestlé to form the Nestlé Company.

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Your chance to indulge

Photo credit: @cailler_suisse on Instagram

Located in Gruyère, in the Swiss Alps, chocolate-lovers enjoy an immersive experience at the Maison Cailler factory. You’ll be taken through the history in a multi-sensory tour, and Géraldine’s team of in-house chocolatiers will introduce you to the art of tempering, conching and ganache-making. They’ll also help you create your own chocolate work of art to take home.

“We bring customers closer to the chocolate,” she explains. “You can touch it, taste it out of the bowl, and make your own personalized mixtures. You can also take what you learned and reproduce it at home. Its lots of fun, and lots of chocolate at the end as well.”

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200 years of Swiss heritage

The Maison Cailler factory 75 years ago. Photo credit: @cailler_suisse on Instagram

Founded in 1819, Maison Cailler is now over 200 years old. The Gruyère factory itself was built in 1898. “The walls I touch are 126 years old, and it’s all still working,” says Géraldine proudly. “It’s an incredible place to visit. As well as being a very beautiful setting, you can feel the history, the tradition, the emotions – that’s what is so special.”

It is here that the Cailler chocolate goes through all the stages of production, from the roasting of the beans to the filling of their chocolate creations. These are then packaged in-house, with over 300,000 chocolate temptations leaving the factory each day.

Cailler is also the only brand in Switzerland to use condensed milk instead of powdered milk, giving the product a very rich milky flavor and smooth texture. For this fresh, high quality milk is bought from the farms close to the factory.

Géraldine explains that since it first began making chocolate, Cailler has maintained a close relationship with local milk producers. “Everyone is proud to be a part. You can see that the farms in the region have a special panel saying the milk from our farm goes to Cailler chocolate,” she says.

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A warm welcome awaits

Photo credit: @cailler_suisse on Instagram

“When I returned to Switzerland from traveling the world, I thought long and hard about where I wanted to work,” says Géraldine. “As well as their excellence in chocolate, Maison Cailler is Swiss history, past and present – the company has not only shaped the world of chocolate but contributed to the cultural fabric of Switzerland.

“It is always such a great pleasure to share this heritage and passion with guests of Luxury Gold, and all our visitors from around the world.”

Experience the glory of Switzerland over 10 days, with 5 star hotels and exceptional dining, and meet the chocolatiers of Maison Cailler on our Majestic Switzerland luxury small-group journey.

Switzerland is one European country that’s worth every penny spent.

You’ll never regret immersing yourself in the finer elements of this country’s heritage, culture, and diverse community. From inspired dining that regularly earns Gault-Millau points to luxury hotels in the Swiss Alps that have their own private mountain railways, to experience a five-star stay in Switzerland is to embrace an experience as elevated and highly-regarded as the country’s renowned exports. 

Spoil yourself with a stay at one of these luxury resorts in Switzerland.

Ambassador Hotel | Zurich

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A neo-baroque facade opens up into a Belle Époque interior delicately appointed with lavish furnishings. From the rooftop terrace views of Zurich’s lake and downtown to the smooth Milk Punches served in the Silk Bar, the Ambassador Hotel may be one of the smaller luxury hotels in Switzerland, but not a single splendid detail falling below your expectations. You need to only look at the Ambassador Suite for proof of such pure luxury: a stop at the complimentary minibar followed by a seat on the private balcony overlooking the Zurich Opera House will introduce you to rich Swiss accommodation.

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Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski | Saint Moritz

Of the many luxury hotels in the Swiss Alps, the Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski both tempts you to spend hours indoors while also enticing you to explore the mountains to your heart’s content. Before you even set foot in the lobby, you can take the cable car directly to hiking and skiing trails. Just do remember that this 19th century building is worth wandering in its own right. The Alpine Spa is as inviting as the landscape: a menu of pristine pampering including a Swiss skincare program using anti-aging-trans-dermal technology, facials incorporating organic seaweed science, and restorative rituals that even children can enjoy.

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Mont Cervin Palace | Zermatt

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A cozy chalet with full view of Switzerland’s four-thousanders. One would think such a place is only found deep within the Alps, not in the center of Zermatt. Mont Cervin Palace has both chalet style and alpine style suites that warmly welcome you to cuddle up beside the fire and gaze out at the Matterhorn. As one of the luxury hotels in the Swiss Alps that cater to families, you can make memories with your little ones by renting ice skates and not miss a minute of Mont Cervin Palace’s luxe amenities thanks to babysitting services. While the kids play with their new Swiss mascot friend, Wolli, you’ll savor every Gault-Millau point served at the hotel’s six bars and restaurants. 

Hotel d’Angleterre | Geneva

As elegant as the Lake Geneva shoreline it sits on, Hotel d’Angleterre was designed to reflect Geneva’s beauty. Sumptuous suites with marble-lined bathrooms invite you to wake up or wind down in supreme comfort. You’ll need the rest and relaxation after partaking in one of the hotel’s extraordinary experiences such as taking a night market tour with the hotel’s Executive Chef or spending the afternoon in a watchmaking workshop. Should you need a pre-slumber break, the plush smoke-free cigar lounge has a seat for you. But if you were born to be on your feet, follow the lively music to the Leopard Bar.

Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern | Lucerne

So many famous faces have laid their heads in Hotel Schweizerhof’s beds since 1845 that you shouldn’t be surprised if you spot a celeb. Like B.B. King and Mark Twain, you can walk into this luxury hotel in Switzerland and feel like a guest of honor. Luxury suites with lake views and plenty of room for guests are your retreat after eating your way through the exotic dishes at Galerie and Pavillion, only a short elevator ride away.  

Explore each of these luxury hotels in Switzerland when you join Luxury Gold’s Majestic Switzerland tour. This 10-day journey treats you to a VIP sparkling wine experience, an after-hours tour of the Rosengart Museum, and a ride on the Glacier Express.

After spending 9 days with Luxury Gold, consider extending your stay at one of Switzerland’s best hotels.

Hotel Bellevue Palace | Bern

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A Grand Hotel that evokes a Bern long before the hotel became the official hotel of the Swiss administration, Hotel Bellevue Palace is an intersection for the government and the gourmands. A Finnish sauna, imaginative cocktail list, and a regal Presidential Suite with Bernese Alps views round out the opulence. 

Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa | Interlaken

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Luxury resorts in Switzerland like Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa will make you wonder why you didn’t spend your entire vacation soaking up the Bernese Oberland scenery. An expansive spa, fine dining featuring both authentic Swiss and Italian dishes, and world-class champagnes await your arrival. 

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Hotel Les Trois Rois | Basel 

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Hotel Les Trois Rois sits on a spot in Basel’s city center that’s been a hub of history since the Middle Ages. Write your own chapter in the River Suite Napoleon, a space adorned with frescos reminiscent of the Napoleonic era. And to top off its timeless charm, the hotel’s afternoon tea service is one that the Dutch of Bedford would approve of. 

Villa Principe Leopoldo | Lugano 

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As if it were dreamt up in a fairytale, the Villa Principe Leopoldo will leave you with a sense of whimsy the moment you lay eyes on this luxury resort in Switzerland. The Princess Garden Suite is an appropriate haven that includes a private jacuzzi and view overlooking Lake Lugano.

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Tschuggen Grand Hotel | Davos

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Tschuggen Grand Hotel is a luxury hotel in Switzerland that has no qualms sending you up to its luxury hotels in the Swiss Alps. Mountain lofts retain all of the five-star amenities and white-glove service of the hotel while offering a quiet escape 1,800 meters above sea level. Their list of curated experiences is impressive in itself, but if you’re merely looking for R&R, use the private mountain railway takes you directly to the pistes and trails.

Indulge in a refined Switzerland vacation tailored to discerning travelers. Find travel tips, destination inspiration, and more information about Switzerland’s best resorts when you book an unforgettable journey with Luxury Gold.