The Artisan Revival

The 1980s saw a rebellion against industrial bread. Leaders of this movement came from unexpected places. Poilâne wasn't just one man but a family including Apollonia Poilâne, who took over the family bakery at 18 after her parents' tragic death. She modernized while honoring tradition, proving that innovation and heritage could coexist.

The revival welcomed diverse voices. Japanese baker Kaori Tanaka arrived in Paris to study fashion but fell in love with bread. Her Tokyo-meets-Loire Valley sensibility created loaves that challenged French assumptions while respecting fundamental techniques. "I'm not making Japanese bread or French bread," she explains, "I'm making good bread that happens to be made in France by someone who happens to be Japanese."