Chocolate School in France
Ecole Chocolat - Chocolate Making School

"I absolutely recommend the Valrhona Program to anyone who wants to
start a chocolate business!

After learning the basics of the chocolate business through the Ecole Chocolat online course, this actual experience in a professional atmosphere was the perfect follow up. I learned so much from Chef
Givre, just by watching how he used the equipment and how efficient he was regarding production."

- Yumi, 08 Graduate

Chocolatier

"The Tour was fabulous!

The Valrhona classes exceeded my expectations. I will be able to immediately incorporate my knowledge gained in my chocolatier practices. I'm very happy to have attended the tour."

- Gail, 04 Graduate

"Overall the tour was pretty much what I expected

the three day visit to Valrhona was especially wonderful and made the trip worthwhile."

- Anna, 04 Graduate

more testimonials

Master Chocolatier Program in Tuscany

France - This is an opportunity to learn from the French master chocolatiers. The one-week (6 nights) experience combines a special program of hands on training at Valrhona's Ecole du Grand Chocolat with visits to a chocolatier's boutique in Paris.

Learn French Chocolate Chocolate Making
Next Chocolate Course

April 25 - 30, 2009


our unique curriculum

Valrhona, located in the Rhône Valley since 1924, is considered by many to be the finest chocolate manufacturer in France. Their chocolate products supply both pastry chefs and chocolatiers around the world.

Tour Itinerary:

**Legend for meals included in your tour: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

* Itinerary subject to change: every effort will be made to keep the itinerary as it appears here; however, the final itinerary may vary due to schedules, availability and factors beyond our control.

Night One:

Independent arrivals at tour hotel in Paris.

Night Two:B,D

We leave Paris early in the afternoon by TGV and arrive in Valence then on to Tain l'Hermitage. Welcoming dinner in Tain l'Hermitage.

Night Three - Five:B,L

Full day of classes with lunch at Valrhona's Ecole du Grand Chocolat with Chef Philippe Givre. Free night for Dinner in Tain l'Hermitage orTournon.

Night Six: B,L

We leave from Valence by TGV in the morning and return to Paris for our Farewell lunch and tour of the chocolatiers of Paris. Free evening.

Day Seven:B,

Independent departures from tour hotel.

Chef Givre of Valrhona's Ecole du Grand Chocolat is an excellent teacher and his special program for our group includes professional techniques, sophisticated recipes, chocolate science and use of equipment.

award winning instructors

Program Dates April 25 - 30, 2009

Individual Participant Single Occupancy: 3284 €

Note: Registration fee does not include travel to and from France

Registration is now open for this program. Ecole Chocolat students and graduates should refer to the program overview in Learning Centre for registration.

If you are not an Ecole Chocolat student but do have the equivalent qualifications in professional chocolate making please to arrange for enrollment in this program.

Registration Fee is based on Single Occupancy and includes:
Exclusive hands-on Program at Valrhona's Ecole du Grand Chocolat with certificate and recipes
Guided walking tour of chocolatier's boutiques
Six nights accommodation in Tain l'Hermitage and Paris
Welcome Dinner
Four Lunches
Breakfast Daily
Transportation (train, bus and taxi) includes Paris to Tournon return

Prerequisite: Ecole Chocolate Professional Chocolatier Certificate of Achievement or equivalent qualifications.

Raspberry Truffles
NOTES:

Program participants and travel companions must be adults - 17 years of age or older. Also note that the program involves a lot of standing for long periods and walking (with bags at times) so good mobility and strength is important. Because we go into small towns, handicap access is at a minimum.

Our minimum requirement for this program to run is 8 students and the maximum is 12 students (traveling companions are not included in minimum or maximum number). You will want to wait to book and confirm your flight schedule to France until we confirm that the minimum number of students have registered.

Traveling Companion fee is based on Double Occupancy and includes:
Guided walking tour of chocolatier's boutiques
Six nights accommodation in Tain l'Hermitage and Paris
Welcome Dinner
Farewell Lunch
Breakfast Daily
Transportation (train, bus and taxi) includes Paris to Tournon return
Those wishing to explore the la Drôme region of France while their student is at Ecole du Grand Chocolat should consider renting a car in Valence.

Maître Chocolatier Program Assessment:

Students will be assessed by instructor or leader based on the grading parameters for the program or tour.

Maître Chocolatier Program Certificate:

Students completing the program will receive an Ecole Chocolate Maître Chocolatier Certificate of Achievement.

Cancellation Policy:

Our Ecole Chocolat Maitre Chocolatier Programs and Tours only accommodate a limited number of students and are usually full with a waiting list. As these programs involve a travel component - we need to contact those on the waiting list in enough time to for them to make travel arrangements. If you have to cancel, we will do everything in our power to find a replacement but cannot guarantee that we will be successful - please remember that your deposit is "non-refundable". No refunds will be given after 45 days prior to the program start date. Please make sure that you are committed to the program before paying your non-refundable deposit. We also suggest that you take out travel insurance when booking your travel to and from the program in case of an emergency.

Images of Italian Chocolate

Images from our programs in France

Chef Givre lectures about a recipe and technique.

Piping caramel into truffle balls.

Decorating production from the enrobing line.

Assistant Chef Loonis shows off the student's bonbon production

A group photo at the end of our time at Valrhona

Are you interested in qualifying for this hands-on program?

The Ecole Chocolat Professional Chocolatier Program is the only program of its kind that allows you to start learning the professional gourmet chocolate making in your own home through our part-time 100% online program.


Chocolatier Resources
Our Celebration of Chocolate Shops
Find a chocolate shop near you
Our Favorite Chocolate Books
LA Maison Du Chocolat: Transcendent Desserts by the Legendary Chocolatier Robert Linxe

LA Maison Du Chocolat: Transcendent Desserts by the Legendary Chocolatier Robert Linxe

more books on chocolate

Chocolate News

Click here to go to our News page where we list current news from the chocolate industry, chocolate events and health related news.

Professional Chocolate Tempering Machine Forum
Ecole Chocolat sponsors a forum focused on the use of professional tempering machines. Click here
We are Long Time Members of These Associations
2023 West 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC 1-604-484-1872 Canada or 1-213-291-8309 US