Chocolate and Pastry Fair 2026: Paris makes a comeback

The Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie 2026 lands back at the Parc des Expositions de la Porte de Versailles, in Paris’s 15th arrondissement, from Wednesday, October 28 to Sunday, November 1, 2026. For its 31st edition, Pavillon 5 becomes a vast sweet playground where chefs, artisans, cacao producers and rising talents share their know-how over five days. We all know this autumn staple, and trust us: it’s one of the tastiest outings to pencil into your calendar before the holidays, just before you hit up our favorite Paris chocolateries and pastry spots.

Each year, we lose ourselves wandering the aisles, sampling and inhaling cacao aromas. The 2026 edition shines a light on craft, transmission and industry trends, with redesigned spaces that let you experience the show in all its forms.

Expect the famed Pastry Show, the live demonstration stage hosted by renowned pastry chefs and chocolatiers. France’s Dessert Champions 2026, Adrien Salavert and Bastien Meulot, will be there, along with guest chefs invited by Gault & Millau, the show’s partner.

For spectacle lovers, the musical show with its chocolate outfits returns, in partnership with AICOM, France’s leading multidisciplinary school of performing arts. Dubbed "Incandescence: The Rock Cabaret", the production promises a fresh fusion of burlesque, art and chocolate. We’re counting the days to see what the artisans have in store after the successful first, musical-meets-pantomime edition.

The Inspiration Alley will also spotlight chocolate sculptures and outfits inspired by the theme "Incandescence," alongside the works of the finalists for France’s Best Apprentice in Chocolatier-Confectionery, created around "Depths of the Sea." And for the little ones (in heart and age), the Mother Christmas House and its chalet of signature holiday bûches by palace chefs remains a family favorite as the season approaches.

This year brings several new features to the circuit. Choco’Live, a lively zone at the heart of the show, will host contests, challenges and interactive activities, including the chocolate‑chocolate Masterclass tastings led by the National Confederation of French Bakery & Pastry on Thursday, October 29. The more intimate Pavilion Signatures will feature daily appearances by star chefs like Aurélien Cohen, expected Sunday, November 1, with bespoke creations to savor on-site in a relaxed lounge atmosphere punctuated by DJ sets.

Curious gourmands will also find expanded tasting workshops: as many as 230 sessions, open to all (adults and kids) or more specialized for seasoned enthusiasts, focusing on sensory awakening and chocolate tasting. A new space champions rising talent, while another area spotlights women entrepreneurs, and the "In Residence Chocolate" zone invites a different chocolatier each day.

In 2026, the show expands its global footprint. Present in twelve destinations worldwide with eighteen events, it will host two new dates: the first edition in Brazil, in Salvador da Bahia from December 10–13, 2026, and an unprecedented Toronto edition in Canada, from November 19–22, 2026, following the Montreal stop’s success.

Practical details: the opening night kicks off on October 27 from 7 p.m., with daily hours from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from October 28 to November 1, 2026, at Porte de Versailles (Pavilion 5). To get there, take metro line 12 (Port de Versailles station) or the T3a tram. Adult admission is €16 on weekdays and €20 on weekends; children €8 on weekdays and €10 on weekends, with a Family Pass at €45 (€56 on weekends) and a late-day option (5–7 p.m.) at €10 for adults. Tickets are available on the official Salon du Chocolat site: it’s best to buy online, as the event attracts about 96,000 visitors each year and lines can be long.

Our take? The Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie remains a reliable winner for anyone eager to peek behind the scenes of pastry-making and sample creations from top artisans without hopping all over Paris. It’s equally suited to families, enthusiasts and curious gourmands. A word of advice: aim for weekday or late-afternoon visits to dodge the crowds, and budget a little for tasting moments—the temptation is everywhere.