In the historic ironworks village of Billnäs in southern Finland, traditional craftsmanship meets a rather playful approach to chocolate. Billnäs Chocolate Factory was founded in 2022 by master chocolatier Gérald Coniel and Marina Sepping, whose journey into chocolate began with making and selling traditional fruit jellies.

Gérald went on to study chocolate-making techniques in France and Italy, bringing that European confectionery heritage back to Billnäs. Today, the factory produces more than a hundred varieties of chocolate bars and pralines by hand, from beautifully balanced dark chocolate to more adventurous combinations featuring chilli, fruit, caramel and carefully selected nuts.

Flavour, quality ingredients and thoughtful finishing are at the heart of their work. Their colourful, beautifully decorated chocolate bars are as lovely to give as they are to eat, and the factory's creations have also earned recognition in Finnish chocolate competitions.

Visitors to the old ironworks village can even watch the chocolatiers at work. It's a place where chocolate is taken seriously, but there's always room for a little imagination.