DE MARLIEU chocolate factory

Chimilin

Description

The Marlieu chocolate factory was born in 1906 in the Chartreuse.

At the end of the XIXth century, its founder, Amédée Arnaud des Essarts, bought a farm in the Marlieu hamlet near La Tour du Pin, and set himself there with his family (and also for the health of his daughters, to whom the doctors said they needed fresh air).

Innovative businessman of its time, he decides to produce milk and sell it in bottles to the Lyon hospitals. Summer like winter, he would go by horse carriage to La Tour du Pin train station, and carry his glass bottles in small wicker baskets to Lyon.

Developping his sale in Lyon in some grocery stores, he then starts making and selling butter from his milk, and creates the "Marlieu Butter". Then, from the resting cream, he gets the ideia to make chocolate candies he would sell in his grocery stores.

He summons 3 Swiss chocolate makers in Marlieu,and starts in 1906, with the local producers' help, the very first « Marlieu chocolates ».

Between the two wars,he decides to make more, with « bâtons goûters » (ancestors of the malakoff) for the boarding schools (1926), and a chocolate powder.

In 1939, he dies. The factory is bequeathed to his son-in-law Edmond de Parscau, marine officer who left the Bretagne to marry a dauphinoise and the factory. The society is one of the first in France to put pictures/drawings on the chocolate bars.

At the time and until the 50's, the factory sold its products in small shops in its area.
It is with the development of the mass distribution in the 60's, that the factory turns toward the markets companies (EC, business gifts, Christmas tree) and local authorities.

In the same time, the factory developped its sales to particulars, and since 1997, the door-to-door sale. Its independent sellers are now more than 200. Finally, the Chocolate Factory has established partnerships with schools throughout France for the sale of Christmas and Easter chocolates.

Marlieu's factory hires 15 people permanently. During high season, it can reach 80 people. Fidelity is strong, as some of them are descendants of the founders themselves.

In April 2010, the factory moved to Chimilin, 17km far from the original one.

Ouverture

From 02/01 to 31/12/2024
on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 9 am and 12 pm and between 2 pm and 5 pm.
Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Closed exceptionally on Easter Monday, Feast of the Ascension, Whit Monday, May 1st, May 8th, July 14th, August 15th, November 1st, November 11th and December 25th.
Annual closing from jul. 14th to aug. 20th
Exceptionnal opening the 2 saturdays before Easter
Exceptionnal opening the 4 saturdays before Christmas
Exceptional opening or closing possible throughout the year.

Tarifs

Free entry.
Group rate available for > 15 people.

See chocolates prices on the website.

Contact et accès
241, Chemin de Grand Fontaine
38490 Chimilin
Isère (38)
Informations complémentaires
Services
  • Coach access
  • Shop
  • Guided tours
  • Online shop
Équipements
  • Toilets
  • Car park
  • Coach parking
Activités
  • Product tasting
Moyen de Paiement
  • Bank/credit card
  • Check
  • Cash
Type de produit
  • Chocolate
Langues parlées
  • English
  • French
Langues de visite
  • English
  • French
Animaux
  • Animaux interdits
Visite
  • Durée moyenne (individuels) : 60 min
À proximité
Les tournesols
Gîte Les Tournesols
Furnished accommodation and Gîtes

Les tournesols

Les Abrets en Dauphiné
Archery by TERLUDIK
TERLUDIK
Sporting activities

Archery by TERLUDIK

Les Abrets en Dauphiné
Fishing at Romagnieu Lake
OT CC Vals du Dauphiné
Sport

Fishing at Romagnieu Lake

Romagnieu
Kayak sur la rivière du Guiers - Scolaires et groupes d'enfants
Vertes Sensations - Philippe Millet
Sporting activities

Kayak sur la rivière du Guiers – Scolaires et groupes d’enfants

Nances
Exposition temporaire « Eternels recyclages – Gestion des déchets gallo-romains. Gestion des déchets contemporains »
Musée d'Aoste (Isère)
Cultural

Exposition temporaire « Eternels recyclages – Gestion des déchets gallo-romains. Gestion des déchets contemporains »

Aoste
Auberge campagnarde Ailloud
Auberge campagnarde Ailloud
Traditional cooking

Auberge Campagnarde Ailloud

Saint-Genix-les-Villages
Atelier
Musée d'Aoste (Isère)
Cultural

Atelier “Jeux romains “

Aoste
Archery Tag by TERLUDIK
TERLUDIK
Sporting activities

Archery Tag by TERLUDIK

Les Abrets en Dauphiné
La Maison Fleur de Frangipanier
Bed & breakfast

La Maison Fleur de Frangipanier

Saint-Genix-les-Villages
LA PARENTHESE
Gîtes de France
Furnished accommodation and Gîtes

LA PARENTHESE

Saint-Genix-les-Villages
Réveil sous sous les arbres
GL
Unusual accommodation

Teepee tent Les Petites Bottes

Les Abrets en Dauphiné
Les bulles du Guiers
Girardet
Bed & breakfast

Les bulles du Guiers

Saint-Genix-les-Villages
DE MARLIEU chocolate factory

Chimilin