On May 5, 2024, a team of 18 bakers from France set a new world record for the longest baguette ever made. The baguette measured 140.53 meters, breaking the previous record held by Italy in 2019 of a baguette measuring 132.62 meters. This achievement was celebrated as a proud moment for France and a testament to their love of artisanal bread-making.
The event took place at the Suresnes Baguette Show near Paris, where the bakers had to knead and shape the dough on site before baking it in a rolling oven. The traditional process began at 3 am with supervision starting at 5 am. To qualify for the record, the baguette had to be at least 5 centimeters thick throughout its length.
Dominique Anract, president of the French National Confederation of Boulangerie and Patisserie, praised the bakers for their collective sportsmanship in setting this new world record. As a gesture of goodwill, part of the baguette was cut into pieces and distributed to the public while the remaining was given to homeless people.
This latest world record-breaking attempt further highlights the importance of baguette-making in French culture and the dedication of bakers to their craft. It was also recognized in 2022 when UNESCO included “artisanal know-how and culture of baguette bread” on its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Overall, this achievement is not only an impressive feat but also an important reminder of how food can bring people together and be a source of pride for a nation.