Salon du Chocolat 2026: Highlights and Chefs of the 31st Edition
The Chocolate and Pastry Fair closed its doors on November 1 in Paris. A look back at the Pastry Show with Mercotte, the Gault&Millau chefs in attendance, and the new features of this 31st edition.
The Chocolate and Pastry Show closed its doors on Sunday, November1, after five days of demonstrations, performances, and tastings in Pavilion 5 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. For this31st edition, the Pastry Show, the “Inspiration Alley,” Santa’s House, and the musical “Cabaret Rock” set the tone for the event, which brought together the biggest names in chocolate and pastry.
Highlights of the 2026 Salon du Chocolat
At the heart of the event, the Pastry Show stage—hosted by Mercotte—welcomed the cream of the crop of chocolatiers and pastry chefs for free demonstrations. Among them were Grégory Masse of L’Assiette Champenoise (5 toques) in Tinqueux (51), Baptiste Vial of Les Étangs de Corot in Ville-d’Avray (92), and Coline Doussin of Le Saint James in Paris (75). They were joined by Parisian pastry chefs Maxence Barbot and Johan Giacchetti from Le Bristol – Épicure (4 toques) in Paris; the 2026 French dessert champions in the senior and junior categories, Adrien Salavert from the restaurant Les Belles Perdrix (3 toques), at Château Troplong Mondot in Saint-Émilion (33), and Bastien Meulot from the Lycée des Métiers in Bazeilles (08), as well as Aurélien Cohen from the pastry shop of the same name in Asnières-sur-Seine (92).
On this same stage, Gault&Millau, as it did last year, featured a panel of renowned chefs whose creations were available for tasting on site. Along the “Allée de l’Inspiration,” visitors could admire chocolate sculptures and outfits designed in collaboration with renowned fashion designers. A little further on, the Maison du Père Noël showcased the most beautiful Yule logs from luxury hotels and prestigious establishments.
Each day also featured two performances of the musical that premiered in 2025. This year, *Cabaret Rock!* blended burlesque, art, and chocolate, with costumes themed around incandescence. The show was created by Aicom, a multidisciplinary group of professional performing arts schools.
© Gault&Millau
The Cocoa Industry Under Discussion
Beyond the culinary delights, the fair once again served as a space for reflection and networking. The conferences focused on the origins of cocoa, production methods, and consumer trends. Chocolatiers, pastry chefs, chefs, and industry representatives shared their expertise both on stage and at their booths.
“Bean-to-bar” (from bean to bar) dominated discussions at this 2026 edition, championed by numerous French and international artisans. Visitors were also able to sample “tree-to-bar” chocolates, crafted by artisans who grow their own cacao trees before processing the beans.
New Features of the 2026 Edition
Continuing the transformation it began last year for its30th anniversary, the fair opened an interactive and educational space. Younger visitors could try their hand at the “choco’quiz” or attend musical performances celebrating cocoa-producing countries. Chocolate enthusiasts and professionals gathered there for tastings as part of the national championship for the best pain au chocolat. More than 200 gourmet workshops were scheduled over the five days, ranging from fun activities for children to specialized tastings for connoisseurs. Another new feature was the “Signatures Pavilion,” an exclusive venue where Aurélien Cohen, Julien Dugourd, and Théo David, among others, offered their creations to take home or enjoy on-site, accompanied by DJ sets.
The 2026 Edition at a Glance
- Dates: Wednesday, October 28, through Sunday, November1, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., following an opening night on Tuesday, October 27.
- Location: Pavilion 5 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.
- Prices: €10–20 for adults, €5–10 for children.
FAQ – 2026 Chocolate and Pastry Fair
When did the 2026 Salon du Chocolat take place in Paris?
The 2026 Chocolate and Pastry Fair took place from Wednesday, October 28, through Sunday, November1, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. It was preceded by an opening night on Tuesday, October 27, featuring a preview of the musical show.
Where was the 2026 Salon du Chocolat held?
The fair took place at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Pavilion 5, which hosted the31st edition of the event.
How much did admission cost for the 2026 Salon du Chocolat?
Tickets cost between €10 and €20 for adults and between €5 and €10 for children, depending on the type of ticket selected.
Was there an admission fee for the Pastry Show demonstrations?
No, they were free. They took place on the fair’s main stage, hosted by Mercotte, and featured many renowned chefs and pastry chefs, including several listed in Gault&Millau.
