The Imperial Chocolate Fair returns to the Château de Fontainebleau in Seine-et-Marne, on Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29, 2026. For this 9th edition, chocolatiers, pastry chefs and gourmet artisans will occupy the Deer Gallery, the Hall of Columns and the Oval Courtyard for a weekend.
The principle has stayed the same since the fair began in 2016: bringing cocoa into a monument Napoleon once called “the house of the centuries.” A blend of heritage and indulgence that arrives just as people start thinking about Christmas chocolates.
Over the years, the fair has made a habit of bringing together roughly fifteen chocolatiers from France and abroad, along with around twenty fine-gastronomy artisans. Last year, houses from Japan, Brazil, Colombia and Madagascar stood alongside local craftspeople. A true world tour of cacao without leaving the Fontainebleau forest.
People come to taste, of course, but also to understand. The démonstrations and the conférences are part of the fair’s DNA: the history of chocolate, bean transformation, molding, cacao terroirs, and sensory tastings have set the pace in previous editions. The Bellifontaine pastry-chef–chocolatier Frédéric Cassel has long chaired the event.
In the Oval Courtyard, a small gourmet market usually brings together local producers and artisans around pastries, wines, honey and spirits. A great opportunity to stock up on gourmet gifts before the holidays.
The detailed program for the 2026 edition has not yet been unveiled. We will update this article as soon as it is published on the site officiel du salon.
One of the show’s draws is access to spaces that aren’t part of the castle’s usual tour route. The Gallery of the Stags, laid out under Henry IV, takes its name from the deer heads that adorn its walls, above painted views of the royal residences.
This elegant corridor conceals a darker tale: in 1657, Queen Christina of Sweden ordered the execution of her squire Monaldeschi, accused of treason. Today, the atmosphere is decidedly gentler, surrounded by chocolate bars, pralines, and other chocolate confections.
The Oval Courtyard sits on the site of the original medieval castle. Visitors stroll in the footsteps of the early kings who hunted in these woods, a cup of hot chocolate in hand if luck permits.
Yes, and it’s actually one of the fair’s main highlights. In previous editions, kids could decorate chocolate shapes and leave with their creation, or personalize their very own chocolate bar. Students from the Antonin Carême hospitality school also put on demonstrations and tastings.
A ride on a small tourist train through the castle gardens rounded off the day. It remains to be seen whether these activities will be repeated this year.
The fair unfolds in Fontainebleau, about sixty kilometers southeast of Paris. From Gare de Lyon, the R Transilien line brings you to Fontainebleau-Avon station, from which buses connect to the town center and the château. Access to the fair is typically via the Jardin de Diane, then through the Baptistery Gate.
At the previous edition, entry cost 9€ on weekends and was free for children under 12. The 2026 prices haven’t been announced yet: be sure to check the Imperial Chocolat site or the Fontainebleau tourist office page. The fair ticket does not include access to the château; book that separately if you’d like to extend your day.
To take a savory break between tastings, our pick of Fontainebleau restaurants can help. And if you want to make the most of the château, the Henri IV exhibition is also worth a visit.
When it comes to the setting, above all. Tasting chocolates under the timbered halls of a royal château has little in common with wandering the aisles of an expo. The fair retains a human scale, leaving time to mingle with the artisans and ask questions.
This outing is aimed at curious food lovers, families seeking a late-autumn activity, and anyone planning their Christmas gifts. It pairs nicely with a stroll in the Fontainebleau forest or a visit to the château.
A quick heads-up: according to the organizers, the Oval Courtyard is paved, and the Deer Gallery sits up a few steps. Access can be tricky for wheelchair users or those with strollers. It’s best to check beforehand before heading out.
Has chocolate whetted your appetite? The Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie 2026 is also returning to Paris, in a much larger format. To keep the pleasure going all year round, our guide to the best chocolate shops in Paris highlights must-visit addresses, just like our pick of the major fairs to watch in 2026 in Île-de-France.
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Dates and Opening Time
From November 28, 2026 to November 29, 2026
Location
Château de Fontainebleau
77300 Fontainebleau
77300 Fontainebleau
Route planner
Accessibility info
Prices
Moins de 7 ans: Free
Vendredi: €7
Samedi et dimanche: €9
Recommended age
For all
Official website
imperialchocolat-fontainebleau.fr
