Paris has crowned its newest baguette king, with Sithamparappillai Jegatheepan being announced as the 2026 Grand Prix de la Baguette winner.

Sri Lankan-born Sithamparappilla, a baker at Fournil Didot in the 14th arrondissement, beat 143 other baguettes for the honour to be named the 33rd winner of the annual competition. It was his first time taking part in the competition.

The Gran Prix de la Baguette competition was presided over by Nicolas Bonnet Oulaldj, Paris Deputy Mayor in charge of craftsmanship, which evaluated each entry around a strict criteria of appearance, taste, crumb, alveolation as well as size and salt content.

The judging panel was made up of a range of professionals, journalists and Paris residents selected at random. According to Sortir A Paris, they all praised Sithamparappilla’s baguette for its high quality.

Beyond the prestigious title, the Grand Priz de la Baguette prize also includes a €4000 prize while Fournil Didot will supply bread to the Élysée Palace for one year.

Other bakeries acknowledged in this year’s Grand Prix de la Baguette competition includes:

• B&S Nation Bakery (12th arrondissement)
• L’Ecrin Gourmand Bakery (12th arrondissement)
• Maison Daguet (15th arrondissement)
• Laurent B. Bakery (7th arrondissement)
• Guyot Ferreira Bakery (5th arrondissement)
• Maison LEPARQ (15th arrondissement)
• Moderne Rabineau Bakery (5th arrondissement)
• Aux Délices de Glacière (13th arrondissement)
• Au Paradis du Gourmand (14th arrondissement)