France’s La Poste honors the artisan baguette with new stamp

By Scott Tiffney

On May 17, France’s postal service, La Poste, will issue a stamp in honor of the baguette, a symbol of French gastronomy and its rich artisan culture.

Recognized in November 2022 on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, the French baguette is considered the bread of daily life. Its simple ingredients of flour, water, salt and yeast contrast with the complexity of the careful measurement of ingredients, kneading, fermentation, shaping, priming and baking in the hands of the skilled artisan.

It is this meticulous production, handed down from generation to generation, that has come to epitomize French artisan culture and customs. With its golden crust and signature scoring, each baguette is a unique taste experience.

As a food for sharing, the baguette can accompany any meal throughout the day. In France, it also embodies the daily ritual of visiting your local bakery. The stamp has an added scent to make it smell like the bakery, according to La Poste.

The baguette transcends international borders with the production of 6 billion baguettes each year for its daily 12 million consumers.

The green-letter €1.96 Baguette stamp pays the international rate for sending letters weighing up to 20 grams.

The stamp was designed by Stephane Humbert-Basset based on his own original concept. La Poste’s security printer Philaposte printed it by rotogravure in 594,000 panes of 15.

An event previewing the stamp will take place in Paris on Thursday, May 16, a day in celebration of St. Honore, the patron saint of bakers. The event will include a signing session with Humbert-Basset.

For ordering details, visit La Poste online.

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