Bernachon
Family-owned French artisan chocolate maker founded 1953 in Lyon, producing bean-to-bar chocolates and pastries from cocoa sourced in ten countries, and serving consumers via two boutiques, worldwide online delivery, a tea room, and corporate gifting.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1953
- HeadquartersLyon, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Bernachon does
Bernachon is a family-owned French artisan chocolate and confectionery manufacturer founded in 1953 in Lyon by Maurice Bernachon. The company operates a fully bean-to-bar production process, sourcing ten varieties of cocoa beans from ten producing countries and transforming them on-site into chocolates, pastries, and signature confections such as the Président chocolate (celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025) and the more recently introduced Mentchikoffs. Operations are vertically integrated around the historic Lyon factory, which combines manufacturing with a retail boutique, a tea room/restaurant, and factory tours and workshops for visitors.
Since 2010 the business has been run by the third generation of the Bernachon family (Candice, Stéphanie, and Philippe Bernachon). Distribution has been progressively broadened beyond the original Lyon site: a second boutique opened in Paris in 2019, and in 2011 the company launched an e-commerce boutique offering worldwide delivery. A B2B corporate gifting and events segment complements direct-to-consumer channels. The company holds the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) certification awarded in 2017 in recognition of its traditional French craftsmanship.
The business model combines physical retail (Lyon and Paris), on-premise hospitality (tea room/restaurant), experiential revenue (factory tours/workshops), a global e-commerce channel, and B2B corporate gifting, all powered by premium-priced, hand-finished products. Customers include individual consumers in France and internationally, tourists visiting the Lyon site, and corporate clients purchasing gifts and event orders. Headcount is reported at 11–50 employees, consistent with a tightly held, multi-channel artisan operation rather than an industrial chocolate manufacturer.
Bernachon firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bernachon
- Legal name
- BERNACHON SAS
- Website
- https://bernachon.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1953
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Family-owned French artisan chocolate maker founded 1953 in Lyon, producing bean-to-bar chocolates and pastries from cocoa sourced in ten countries, and serving consumers via two boutiques, worldwide online delivery, a tea room, and corporate gifting.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bernachon industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Artisanal Chocolates and Pastries
- NAICS
- Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing from Cacao Beans (311351), Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing (31135), Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing (311520)
- SIC
- Sugar & Confectionery Products (2060), Bakery Products (2050)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Chocolate & Confectionery Patisseries (Bonbons, Truffles, Macarons) (THAFAFAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Chocolate & Chocolate Confectionery (CRADABAA), Chocolate & Confectionery Shops (THAFAGAD), Bread & Pastry Specialty Stores (CRAHAGAC)
Keywords
Where Bernachon is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lyon
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Bernachon business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Chocolate and Pastry Retail: Sale of artisanal chocolates, entremets, chocolate bars, individual cakes, ice cream, travel cakes, and catering through retail stores and online shop.
- Restaurant and Tea Room: Dine-in service offering gourmet meals with Lyonnais dishes, pastries, hot chocolate, and teas. Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch service and all-day tea room.
- Factory Tours and Workshops: Various tour packages including discovery breakfasts, lunch tours, workshops, Chocoparty events, and gourmet visits with pricing from 26-150€ per person.
- B2B Corporate: Corporate gifts, team building events, and customized chocolates for professionals and hotels. Quotes provided within 48 hours.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Discovery Breakfast Tour - 1 hour, minimum 6 people |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Lunch at Restaurant with Tour - Menu Passion |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Lunch at Restaurant with Tour - Seasonal Menu |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Workshop - 2 hours, afternoon |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Workshop with Tea Room Snack - 2.5 hours |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Workshop with Lunch - 2 hours |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Chocoparty - Saturday afternoons, 6 children minimum |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gourmet Visit - 3 hours for 2 people, Saturday mornings |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels5 records
Bernachon product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bernachon manufactures artisanal bean-to-bar chocolate in-house from 10 varieties of raw cocoa beans, producing signature chocolates (Palets d'Or, Mentchikoffs, Bernachoc spread), chocolate bars, pastries such as Le Président and L'Eventail, entremets, ice cream, and catering items. The company sells these through its Lyon and Paris boutiques, an online store with worldwide delivery, a tea room and restaurant in Lyon, and offers chocolate factory tours, workshops, and B2B corporate gifts and team-building services.
Product overview
Bernachon is a traditional bean-to-bar chocolate maker established in Lyon in 1953, now in its third generation of family ownership. The company produces chocolates from raw cocoa beans using a proprietary blend of 10 varieties sourced from around the world. The product portfolio centers on artisanal chocolates including signature products like Palets d'Or and Bernachoc spread, alongside pastries (notably Le Président created with Paul Bocuse in 1975), entremets, chocolate bars, ice creams, and catering items. Bernachon operates retail boutiques in Lyon and Paris, an online store with worldwide delivery, a tea room and restaurant, and offers chocolate factory tours and professional/corporate services. The company was certified with the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant label in 2017 recognizing excellence in artisanal expertise.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Le Président: Signature pastry created by Maurice Bernachon and Paul Bocuse in 1975 for Valéry Giscard d'Estaing; a chocolate and praline entremets that has become the emblematic creation of the house.
- Mentchikoffs
- Palets d'Or
- Bernachoc
Products and services
- Palets d'Or Signature chocolate specialty from Bernachon, recognized as one of the house's defining creations and sold at the Paris and Lyon boutiques. Targeted at premium chocolate enthusiasts seeking artisanal products.
- Chocolate Bars (Tablettes) Bean-to-bar chocolate bars produced in-house from Bernachon's signature blend of 10 cocoa bean varieties, sold in 150g format through the online store and boutiques. Targeted at individual chocolate consumers.
- Bernachoc Spread Chocolate spread created by Bernachon, a house specialty available at the Paris location and online. Targeted at individual consumers looking for premium chocolate spreads.
- Le Président The emblematic Bernachon pastry created in 1975 by Maurice Bernachon and chef Paul Bocuse. Originally made for 20 people at 3 kg, it remains a best-seller and the house's most iconic creation, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025. Targeted at premium pastry consumers.
- L'Eventail Classic chocolate pastry featuring a light almond biscuit covered with delicate dark chocolate ganache. Targeted at premium pastry consumers.
- Entremets French-style layer cakes and pastries, including the signature Le Président and seasonal offerings. Targeted at premium pastry consumers and event customers.
- Ice Cream and Sorbets Artisanal ice creams and sorbets made with high-quality ingredients. Targeted at individual consumers at the tea room and retail locations.
- Pastries to Go and Biscuits Travel-friendly pastries and sweet biscuits for takeaway. Targeted at individual consumers and travelers.
- Traiteur/Catering Catering services and savory selections for events and professional occasions. Targeted at corporate and private event customers.
- Mentchikoffs Chocolate specialty composed of a delicate nougatine shell filled with a melting center and coated with royal icing. Available in Vanilla (gianduja filling) and Chocolate (chocolate praline filling) varieties and in stick, mini ballotin, or 210g box formats. Targeted at premium chocolate consumers.
- Hot Chocolate Signature old-fashioned hot chocolate made from Bernachon's blend of 10 cocoa bean varieties, available hot or cold at the tea room. Targeted at tea room visitors and chocolate lovers.
- Chocolate Factory Tours Guided tours of the chocolate factory in Lyon, including discovery breakfasts, lunch tours, workshops, Chocoparty events for families, and gourmet visits. Available Tuesday to Saturday with pricing from €26 to €150 per person. Targeted at chocolate enthusiasts, families, and tourists visiting Lyon.
- Tea Room and Restaurant Restaurant and tea room experience in Lyon offering traditional pastries, Bernachon hot chocolate, teas, and Lyonnaise cuisine including veal liver and fish dishes. Open Tuesday to Saturday with lunch service 12 a.m.–2 p.m. Targeted at individual consumers and tourists seeking a Lyonnaise gastronomic experience.
- Professional Services B2B services for professionals and businesses including corporate gifts, team building experiences, customized chocolates, hotel welcome gift programs, and seminars. Quotes provided within 48 hours. Targeted at corporations, event organizers, and hotels.
Quantifiable outcome
- 87% decrease in cardboard waste through recycling program
Companies that use Bernachon
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Bernachon technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Bernachon partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Livr'ExpressminorPartnership with Livr'Express for courier delivery services in Lyon for over 10 years. Deliveries from Tuesday to Saturday (and Sunday during holidays). Lyon store contact: 04.78.24.37.98.
- FEEDBACminorPartner company that collects food waste from Bernachon. Helps with source sorting, collection, and recovery of waste. Ensures organic waste is used where most needed - at farms.
- Richard Bagur AgencyminorInterior design and layout agency for both Lyon and Paris stores, preserving traditions with consistent design approach.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Bernachon competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Bernachon social profiles
Digital presenceBernachon compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Bernachon financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bernachon leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Bernachon funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bernachon M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Bernachon
What does Bernachon do?
Bernachon manufactures artisanal bean-to-bar chocolate in-house from 10 varieties of raw cocoa beans, producing signature chocolates (Palets d'Or, Mentchikoffs, Bernachoc spread), chocolate bars, pastries such as Le Président and L'Eventail, entremets, ice cream, and catering items. The company sells these through its Lyon and Paris boutiques, an online store with worldwide delivery, a tea room and restaurant in Lyon, and offers chocolate factory tours, workshops, and B2B corporate gifts and team-building services.
Is Bernachon a public or private company?
Bernachon is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Bernachon founded?
Bernachon was founded in 1953. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Bernachon based?
Bernachon is headquartered in Lyon, France, in the Europe region.
How does Bernachon make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Chocolate and Pastry Retail is the primary driver. The others are restaurant and Tea Room, factory Tours and Workshops and B2B Corporate.
Does Bernachon have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bernachon.
What industry is Bernachon in?
Bernachon's product category is Artisanal Chocolates and Pastries. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFAFAL, Chocolate & Confectionery Patisseries (Bonbons, Truffles, Macarons), with a secondary code of CRADABAA, Chocolate & Chocolate Confectionery. Its NAICS code is 311351 and its SIC code is 2060.