The Suresnes Baguette Show near Paris recently witnessed an incredible feat as a team of 18 French bakers broke the world record for the longest handmade baguette. This achievement was celebrated with pride in France, as they reclaimed the title from Italy. The previous record was set in 2019 in Italy, with a baguette measuring 132.62 meters. However, on May 5, 2024, the French bakers created a baguette measuring 140.53 meters, setting a new world record.
The event began at 3 a.m., with supervision starting at 5 a.m., and saw the traditional process of kneading and shaping dough on site before baking it in front of the public in a rolling oven. 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’ efforts, stating that setting a record for the longest handmade baguette required true collective sportsmanship. As part of their goodwill gesture, part of the baguette was cut into pieces and topped with Nutella before being distributed to members of the public.
The “artisanal know-how and culture of baguette bread” were recognized in 2022 when they were inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This latest world record-breaking attempt further highlights the importance of baguette-making in French culture and the dedication of bakers to their craft.
The success of this event demonstrates not only France’s talent for baking but also its passion for preserving its cultural heritage.
