National French Bread Day – Mar. 21, 2027

National French Bread Day
Categories:
Tags:
Food
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
Every March 21
Holiday emoji:
🥖

National French Bread Day arrives every March 21, inviting us to celebrate the beloved baguette. This iconic bread, known for its crisp crust and airy interior, is a staple worldwide. Grab a fresh loaf, pair it with your favorite meal, or try your hand at baking one at home!

Want to sponsor National French Bread Day? Learn how

Expected National French Bread Day Deals

While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that bakeries and grocery stores often roll out special deals for National French Bread Day. Expect local artisan bakeries like Boudin Bakery and La Brea Bakery to offer discounts on their signature loaves. Larger chains such as Panera Bread might feature French bread-inspired sandwiches or offer a free baguette with purchase. Grocery stores like Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s could highlight their in-house baked French bread with special pricing. Keep an eye out for deals from restaurants like Olive Garden, known for its complimentary breadsticks, which might extend promotions to other French bread items. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as March 21 approaches.

Platform Guide for National French Bread Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #FrenchBreadDay. Film a quick recipe using French bread or share your favorite way to enjoy it.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #FrenchBreadDay. Post mouth-watering photos of your French bread creations or a perfectly paired meal.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #FrenchBreadDay. Share your favorite local bakery and what makes their French bread special.

Social Media Tips for National French Bread Day

Individuals

Visit your local bakery for a fresh baguette, or try making homemade garlic bread with a French loaf. Share your culinary creations with friends and family.

Creators

Develop a video tutorial for a gourmet sandwich on French bread, or review different brands of frozen French bread. Showcase creative uses for day-old bread.

Brands

Host a 'Best French Bread Pairing' contest, encouraging users to share photos of their favorite meals with your product. Offer a limited-time discount on French bread-related items.

Top Brands for National French Bread Day

  1. Panera Bread

    Founded in 1987 in Kirkwood, Missouri, Panera Bread is a popular fast-casual restaurant chain known for its freshly baked breads, sandwiches, salads, and soups. They offer a variety of artisan breads, including French baguettes, to complement their menu.

  2. Boudin Bakery

    Established in 1849 during the California Gold Rush, Boudin Bakery is San Francisco's oldest continuously operating business. Famous for its original San Francisco sourdough French bread, Boudin uses a mother dough that dates back to its founding, creating a distinct flavor and texture.

  3. King Arthur Baking Company

    Founded in 1790 in Boston, Massachusetts, King Arthur Baking Company is America's oldest flour company. They provide high-quality flours, baking ingredients, and recipes, making them a go-to resource for home bakers looking to perfect their French bread.

  4. La Brea Bakery

    Founded in 1989 in Los Angeles, California, by Nancy Silverton, La Brea Bakery is renowned for its artisan breads, particularly its sourdough. They are a leading producer of par-baked and frozen artisan breads, making high-quality French bread accessible to a wider audience.

  5. Whole Foods Market

    Founded in 1978 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market is a multinational supermarket chain specializing in organic foods. Their in-store bakeries often feature freshly baked French bread and baguettes, appealing to customers seeking quality ingredients.

  6. Olive Garden

    Opened in 1982 in Orlando, Florida, Olive Garden is a popular American casual dining restaurant chain specializing in Italian-American cuisine. While famous for its unlimited breadsticks, the chain's emphasis on fresh bread highlights the cultural importance of bread with meals, similar to French bread.

  7. Williams-Sonoma

    Founded in 1956 in Sonoma, California, Williams-Sonoma is a premier retailer of kitchenware and home furnishings. They offer a wide range of baking tools, ingredients, and cookbooks that cater to enthusiasts eager to bake authentic French bread at home.

National French Bread Day Hero

Auguste Zang

Auguste Zang was an Austrian officer who, in 1839, opened the Boulangerie Viennoise in Paris. He introduced the steam oven and the Viennese method of bread making to France, which was crucial for developing the modern baguette's characteristic crispy crust and airy interior. His innovations revolutionized French baking and laid the groundwork for the iconic French bread we know today.

National French Bread Day timeline

300 B.C.
Bread Rises

Ancient Egyptians begin utilizing yeast in bread, altering the typically flat breads — naan, pita, tortillas — and making them fluffier.

800 B.C.
Grain is Ground

The Mesopotamians create milling — a process we still use today to create flours — by stacking two flat circular stones on top of one another to grind the grain.

1917
Bread is Industrialized

Otto Rohwedder, an itinerant jeweler, invents the first mechanized bread slicer.

1928
Modern Bread is Embraced

While first viewed with some hesitancy, Rohwedder’s bread slicer is incorporated into factories — revolutionizing the bread manufacturing industry forever.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National French Bread Day

Local bakeries and restaurants can celebrate National French Bread Day by offering special deals on baguettes and French bread-inspired dishes. Consider a ‘buy one, get one’ offer on fresh loaves or a limited-time menu item featuring French bread, like a gourmet croque monsieur or a specialty bruschetta. Retailers selling kitchen goods could host baking demonstrations or offer discounts on bread-making tools. Partner with a local charity to donate unsold bread, aligning with community values and reducing waste.

National French Bread Day FAQs

When is National French Bread Day?

In 2027, National French Bread Day is observed on Sunday, March 21, making it an ideal occasion for a leisurely brunch or a family meal featuring this beloved bread. Plan a trip to your favorite bakery for a fresh-baked treat.

What is the history behind French bread?

The origins of French bread are intertwined with French culinary history, with the baguette specifically emerging in Paris in the 19th century, though its popularity surged after a 1920 law changed baking schedules. This innovation allowed for a quicker bake, providing fresh bread for the morning rush.

How popular is French bread globally?

Globally, French bread holds a cherished place in diets and cultures, with the baguette being a symbol of France itself. Its widespread appeal means billions are consumed each year, making it one of the most recognized and enjoyed breads across continents.

What is the difference between a baguette and French bread?

The term ‘French bread’ generally refers to any bread from France, but a ‘baguette’ is a distinct style. It’s defined by its elongated form and unique baking process that creates a signature crackly crust and soft, open crumb, setting it apart from other French loaves.

National French Bread Day Activities

  1. Bake first, then break

    Although you can celebrate with some store-bought French bread, there’s nothing quite like the real, fresh thing. Not only will it be steamy and delicious, but if you’ve never made bread before, you’ll end National French Bread Day feeling accomplished and proud of your newly learned baking skills.

  2. Incorporate it into every meal

    French bread is perfect any time of day, so now’s the chance to eat it all day, at every meal. Use it for an egg sandwich in the morning, veggies or cold cuts for lunch, or dunk a slice into soup at dinnertime.

  3. Break bread with coworkers

    Recruit some coworkers to help bring in French bread goodies for the office. Designate people to bring in baskets filled with bread slices for snacks throughout the day, finger sandwiches for lunch, and bake (or buy) French bread twists with chocolate chips as a sweet treat.

French Facts About French Bread

  1. "French Dip"

    The French love dipping French bread into hot coffee or tea.

  2. No plate required

    Food off a plate and on a table is usually a no-no, but with French bread, etiquette calls for it to be placed straight on the table.

  3. They have their own baguette bags

    Because of its unique shape, French bread is typically carried under the arm — which is why it’s normal to own a baguette bag in France.

  4. French bread is a vehicle for dessert

    The French love their desserts, and they’ve found that French bread makes the perfect vessel for chocolate chips.

  5. They can't wait

    It’s normal for Frenchmen to rip — or straight up nibble — their French bread before they even get home.

Why We Love National French Bread Day

  1. It’s deliciously specific

    Not only is French bread mouthwateringly yummy, there are some important criteria that go into creating it. For example, it needs to be between 5 and 6 centimeters wide, 65 centimeters long, have a golden outside, and an ivory inside.

  2. It’s an excuse to carbo load

    As if we really needed one. But since bread is usually the first thing to go when trying to cut weight or bloat, this is a chance to indulge guilt-free. However, when it comes to breads, making French Bread is as strict as it gets; in fact, in 1993 the French government established a law called the “Décret Pain” which prohibits the use of additives or preservatives. Also, it needs to be baked on the premises where it’s sold, and it can only contain the following four ingredients: yeast, wheat flour, salt, and water.

  3. It’s an opportunity to try new recipes

    Whether you bake your own French bread or simply incorporate it into a new recipe, try to branch out from the norm and try new things. For instance, try making a French bread pudding, French bread pizza, or garlic bread.

National French Bread Day dates

Year Date Day
2027 March 21 Sunday
2028 March 21 Tuesday
2029 March 21 Wednesday
2030 March 21 Thursday
2031 March 21 Friday