The renowned Poilâne bakeries were placed under judicial recovery on January 19, 2026, by the Paris Commercial Court. Despite this legal step, the five Paris stores and the London location are currently operating as usual.
The Poilâne bakeries, iconic Parisian institutions renowned for their wood-fired sourdough bread, are currently facing a challenging period. The Paris Commercial Court announced judicial reorganization for the company on January 19, 2026. This decision comes amid mounting financial difficulties that have been building over several years for this century-old brand, founded in 1932 by Pierre Poilâne. Although the business, which operates five shops in Paris—spread across the Left Bank and Right Bank—as well as a location in London, continues its daily operations without interruption.
Apollonia Poilâne, the heir and current head of the family business for three generations, aimed to reassure staff and customers alike in a statement issued on February 6. "Our operations continue as usual. All jobs are fully protected, and this process does not affect our day-to-day activities or team organization," she clarified. For the granddaughter of the founder, this judicial reorganization is primarily seen as an opportunity to restructure. "This process now provides the company with a clear framework to reorganize and regain a sustainable path forward," she explained. The company has six months to develop a recovery plan that must be approved by the court.
Fans of the renowned crusty, thick-baked bread can still indulge at various Parisian spots. The historic shop at 8 Rue du Cherche-Midi in the 6th arrondissement, the beating heart of the brand since 1932, remains open for business. On the Left Bank, the 49 Boulevard de Grenelle address in the 15th arrondissement continues to welcome visitors. Over on the Right Bank, three boutiques are serving customers: the 38 Rue Debelleyme in the 3rd arrondissement, just a short walk from the Marché des Enfants Rouges; the 39 Rue de Lévis in the 17th; and the 83 Rue de Crimée in the 19th, near Parc des Buttes-Chaumont.
This sourdough bread, with its slightly tangy crumb and artisanally baked over wood fires, has won fans far beyond France’s borders. In the early 2000s, celebrities like Steven Spielberg and Robert De Niro even had their bread delivered by express courier.
Financial troubles have been a long-standing issue for this brand. In March 2024, the already weakened company managed to negotiate the cancellation of some of its debts and extend the repayment of its bank and social liabilities over a period of five to six years, according to L'Informé. During its most recent fiscal year ending in March 2024, the company reported a net loss of €2.1 million on €10.5 million in revenue, reflecting a 6% decline, as detailed in its financial statements. The company's insolvency officially occurred on December 31, 2025.
Apollonia Poilâne attributes this situation to a combination of factors. The difficulties worsened after the temporary shutdown of the Bièvres production site in Essonne, ordered by the prefecture in spring 2025 due to hygiene and safety issues, according to reports from L'Informé. As detailed in the court ruling obtained by Le Parisien, the site was closed for over a month for hygiene and food safety violations. It supplied three of the five Parisian shops, as well as restaurants and major retail outlets.
This administrative closure came at a time when the company was already vulnerable due to declining consumer spending, structural challenges faced by retail in Paris, and the significant volatility in production costs observed in recent years. It's worth noting that Poilâne’s artisan model—using only stone-milled wheat flour, natural leavening, sea salt, and wood-fired baking—comes with notably high production costs today.
Beyond its stores in Paris and London, Poilâne also supplies supermarkets and restaurants, making this a significant part of its business. This diversification of distribution channels could be a strategic asset as the company undergoes restructuring. The judicial recovery process provides a legal framework that allows the firm to negotiate with creditors and reorganize its operations while continuing its activities. By 2025, the company aims to retain all 114 jobs during this observation period.
For Parisians loyal to this iconic bakery that has played a key role in the city’s culinary history, nothing has changed—yet. Customers can still visit the five Poilâne stores scattered across different neighborhoods to pick up the renowned 1.9 kg loaf, the buttery and sugary pastries, or the famous cookies that made the brand famous. Each shop remains open to visitors just as it always has, with bakers continuing to uphold the tradition of artisanal craftsmanship.
Production continues exclusively with stone-ground wheat flour, natural levain, and sea salt, all baked over an open flame—this traditional method is at the very heart of the brand’s identity. However, Poilâne is currently struggling to stand out amid new competitors that better cater to the tastes of an increasingly connected and mobile audience, according to insights from Resto Zepros.
This legal process, while highlighting the challenges faced by the artisanal bakery sector amid rising costs and changing consumer habits, could ultimately help this family-run business get back on stable footing. It’s worth noting that, due to a logistical incident, international shipments are currently paused, according to Poilâne’s official website. For domestic deliveries within France, only Colissimo shipping options are available at the moment.
An unfolding story to watch closely...
