Main content

French baguette gets Unesco heritage status

Baguettes and the art of making them have been recognised as intrinsic to French culture

The baguette, or more accurately the "artisanal know-how and culture of baguette bread" has been internationally recognised as an intrinsic part of French culture.

President Macron has called the famous bread "250 grams of magic and perfection" as it is honoured by the UN's Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco).

Its inclusion "celebrates the French way of life", Unesco chief Audrey Asoulay said, adding: "The baguette is a daily ritual, a structuring element of the meal, synonymous with sharing and conviviality. It is important that these skills and social habits continue to exist in the future."

The baguette joins traditional tea making in China and a Korean mask dance known as "talchum".

Coline Carmignac, from the Confederation of French Bakeries says: "You only have water, flour, salt and yeast with the extra magic ingredient of the know-how of the baker... We have a baguette all along the day and all along the life."

(Photo: French baguette granted world heritage status by Unesco during committee session on November 30th 2022. Credit: Unesco)

Release date:

Duration:

3 minutes