Läderach is a Swiss chocolate company founded in 1970 by Rudolf Läderach, who secured a patent for his unique truffle-making process. Today, Läderach has grown into a world-renowned Swiss chocolate brand with boutiques across Switzerland—many conveniently located in train stations. One of our family favorites is the fresh dark chocolate with hazelnuts. To learn more about this delicious brand, we visited the House of Läderach in Bilten, Switzerland, located about a 45-minute drive from Zurich. The factory offers a complete chocolate experience: tours, tastings, chocolate-making workshops, boutique shopping, and a cozy café. Plan around two hours to fully enjoy this Swiss chocolate factory.
Chocolate Museum Experience
At the House of Läderach Chocolate Museum, visitors can take a self-guided tour to learn about the company’s history and the art of Swiss chocolate making. The museum is relatively small compared to other chocolate factory experiences in Switzerland but offers interactive exhibits. Information displays are available in English and German. The highlight at the end of the tour is the chocolate fountain, where guests can taste four varieties of Läderach chocolate. Note that sampling options are more limited (only the chocolate fountain) compared to some other Swiss chocolate museums.
Tickets and Activities
There are several ticket options available online. In addition to the traditional chocolate museum tour, families can choose the “Scavenger Hunt Through the Museum”—an activity designed for children while exploring the museum. Tickets can be purchased online or at the entrance, and private tours or chocolate-making courses are also available for groups through the official website. Before heading to the museum, I usually check the website to ensure there’s availability for the desired time slot.
Boutique and Chocolate-Making Station
The museum tour takes place on the upper level, where visitors can look down over the spacious, 240-square-meter Läderach boutique and outlet. The shop offers a wide selection of chocolates—from signature pralines to the famous FrischSchoggi slabs. Some items are available at discounted prices in the outlet section. Another popular feature is the “Make Your Own Chocolate Bar” station, where guests can create a personalized 150g chocolate bar by selecting flavors, mix-ins, and molds (such as a heart or the outline of Switzerland). The process takes about 20 minutes as the chocolate cools. While the cost is around 20 CHF, you can save with combo tickets that include both the museum tour and the chocolate-making workshop. We appreciate that you don’t need a reservation to make a chocolate bar at this Swiss chocolate factory.
Café and Amenities
If you need a break during your visit, the on-site Läderach Café is a great spot to relax. The menu includes a variety of hot drinks such as premium hot chocolate, coffee, and tea, along with sweet and savory crepes, bagel sandwiches, soups, and decadent chocolate desserts. There’s even homemade ice cream for warmer days. Visitors can use free lockers for storage, and parking is free in the covered garage. The entire facility is stroller-friendly, with elevators connecting each floor—making it convenient for families traveling with small children.
Final Thoughts
The House of Läderach in Bilten is a wonderful destination for families looking to experience authentic Swiss chocolate craftsmanship. The building is bright, modern, and designed for comfort. While the museum’s tasting options are limited and prices are higher than at some other Swiss chocolate factory tours, the quality of Läderach chocolate is exceptional. If you enjoy Läderach chocolate, this may be a worthwhile family experience. For other family-friendly Swiss chocolate adventures, check out our blog.