The Parisian Baguette Competition: Stories Behind the Best Bread in Paris
Every spring, something very French happens in Paris: hundreds of bakers arrive carrying their best baguettes, hoping theirs will be crowned the best in the city.
The event is called the Grand Prix de la Baguette de Tradition Française de la Ville de Paris, and for Parisian bakers it’s basically the Oscars of bread.
The rules are strict. The baguette must be a traditional one made with only flour, water, yeast and salt, and it has to meet precise standards for length, weight and salt content. Judges then evaluate each baguette for appearance, crust, crumb texture, aroma and taste.
Winning brings a €4,000 prize and something even better: the bakery becomes the official supplier of baguettes to the Élysée Palace for one year, meaning the French president eats your bread every day.
But what makes this competition truly fascinating are the stories behind the winners.
The 2026 Winner: A Sri Lankan Baker Who Beat Paris
In 2026, the prize went to Sithamparappillai Jegatheepan, a baker originally from Sri Lanka who now runs the small neighborhood bakery Fournil Didot in the 14th arrondissement.
His victory made headlines because he beat 143 competing baguettes in a blind tasting.
Even more surprising?
It was his first time entering the competition.
Jegatheepan took over the bakery in 2022 and now bakes about 650 baguettes every day.
His secret is simple but demanding: a very long fermentation process: at least 24 hours, which gives the bread its flavor and airy crumb.
When the result was announced, customers flooded the small bakery to congratulate him. Winning this prize can instantly transform a neighborhood bakery into one of the most famous bread spots in Paris.
Not bad for a first attempt.
A Baker Who Waited 25 Years for the Title
In 2024, the winner was Xavier Netry, a baker at Boulangerie Utopie. He had been baking bread for 25 years before finally winning the prize.
His advice for making a great baguette: A strong sourdough starter, long fermentation, careful baking… and “a lot of love and passion.”
After winning, he admitted he hadn’t slept for a full day because the media attention and celebration never stopped. Winning the baguette prize can turn a baker into a local celebrity overnight.
Boulangerie Utopie, Paris
The Baker Who Won Twice
Some bakers manage to win the title more than once.
One famous example is Antonio Teixeira, a Portuguese baker working in Paris who won the competition twice: first in 1998 and again in 2014.
His story highlights something interesting about Paris: some of the best French bread isn’t always made by people born in France.
Why Paris Takes This Competition So Seriously
To outsiders, a baguette competition might sound amusing. But in France, bread is serious.
Paris alone has over a thousand bakeries, and most residents can reach one within a five-minute walk.
The baguette is such an important part of daily life that the traditional baguette was even added to UNESCO’s cultural heritage list in 2022.
So the Grand Prix isn’t just about bread. It’s about protecting one of the most iconic traditions in French food culture.
Where to Taste the Best Baguette in Paris
If you ever visit Paris, trying the winning baguette is almost like a small food pilgrimage.
For 2026, that means heading to the 14th arrondissement and visiting Fournil Didot, where the freshly crowned baguette is now drawing curious locals and tourists alike.
Because sometimes the simplest foods create the most unforgettable experiences. Especially in France.