Salon du Chocolat Paris 2026: Dates, Tickets and Tips

The Salon du Chocolat is the world's largest event dedicated to chocolate, held every autumn in Paris. In 2026 it runs from 28 October to 1 November at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. This guide covers the dates, opening hours, ticket prices and practical tips for visitors, plus the other chocolate fairs held across France the same season. All dates below come from the official organisers.

When is the Salon du Chocolat in Paris in 2026?

The Salon du Chocolat Paris 2026 takes place from Wednesday 28 October to Sunday 1 November 2026 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, open 10am to 7pm, with an inaugural evening on Tuesday 27 October from 7pm to 10pm. According to the organiser, the 2026 edition brings together around 96,000 visitors, 250 stands and more than 100 hours of shows. New this year: the famous chocolate-dress fashion show gives way to a musical show where chocolate leads the dance.

Salon du Chocolat 2026 ticket prices

Ticket prices are set by the official box office. The first column applies on weekdays (28-30 October), the second on the weekend (31 October-1 November). Prices are in euros, paid on site or online.

Ticket	Weekday (28-30 Oct.)	Weekend (31 Oct.-1 Nov.)
Adult	16 €	20 €
Student or reduced	14 €	17 €
Child (6-12)	8 €	10 €
Family (2 adults + 2 children)	45 €	56 €
Gold Pass	40 €	45 €
Late entry (5-7pm)	10 € (5 € child)	10 € (5 € child)
Inaugural evening (27 Oct.)	30 € adult, 10 € child	not applicable
Trade visitor	20 € (1 day), 50 € (3 days)	not applicable

Entry is free for children under 6. The cheapest way in is the late-entry ticket (5pm to 7pm) at 10 euros.

What to expect

Expect around 250 chocolatiers and pastry chefs, tastings, live demonstrations, a chocolate sculpture area and the new musical show. The venue sits right on the Paris metro at Porte de Versailles. Weekdays are cheaper and calmer than the weekend, which is the busiest stretch of the fair. If you only want a quick taste of the event, the late-entry ticket is the budget option.

Other chocolate fairs in France in 2026

A common misconception is that the Salon du Chocolat brand tours France. It does not: the official brand runs the Paris edition only. Several independent regional fairs use a similar name the same season, including Bastia in Corsica (16-18 October), Lorient in Brittany (23-25 October), Toulouse (30 October-1 November) and Vannes (6-8 November). One note for travellers: the Lyon edition is cancelled for 2026 and postponed to 2027, according to the Lyon tourist office.

Behind the scenes: exhibiting at a chocolate fair

Behind the tastings, a chocolate fair is a full trade show. Paris lines up 250 stands, and regional fairs gather dozens of chocolatiers and food artisans. Winning a stand follows the same path as any professional show: a call for applications months ahead, selection on the quality and originality of the products, stand allocation and a floor plan. For organisers, running dozens of exhibitor files and a floor plan on spreadsheets quickly becomes unmanageable. French software like Keyqo, focused on exhibitor management and interactive floor plans, brings the applications, selection, plan and exhibitor follow-up into a single tool.

FAQ

When is the Salon du Chocolat in Paris in 2026?

The Salon du Chocolat Paris 2026 runs from Wednesday 28 October to Sunday 1 November 2026 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, open 10am to 7pm, with an inaugural evening on Tuesday 27 October from 7pm to 10pm.

How much are tickets for the Salon du Chocolat?

In Paris, adult entry costs 16 euros on weekdays (28-30 October) and 20 euros at the weekend, with reduced rates for students (14 to 17 euros) and children (8 to 10 euros), and free entry for children under 6. The late-entry ticket (5pm to 7pm) is 10 euros.

Are there chocolate fairs outside Paris in France?

Yes. Independent regional chocolate fairs run the same season, including Bastia (16-18 October), Lorient (23-25 October), Toulouse (30 October-1 November) and Vannes (6-8 November). These are organised locally and are separate from the official Paris Salon du Chocolat.

Is there a Salon du Chocolat in Lyon in 2026?

No. The Lyon edition, expected in early March 2026 at the Halle Tony Garnier, has been cancelled and postponed to 2027, according to the Lyon tourist office and local press. Aix-les-Bains hosts a chocolate fair in October as a nearby alternative.

Going further

If you follow or exhibit at other food and artisan events in France, these guides go further:

• Gastronomy and food fairs in France: 2026 guide: where to exhibit and taste regional products and food crafts all year

• Christmas markets in France 2026: dates and chalet prices: the season calendar and the real cost of a chalet for exhibitors

• 278,700 artisans in 2025: where to sell?: a guide for artisans and producers at local events