【Epoch Times, November 2, 2025】The French postal service, La Poste, released a special edition postage stamp last month that releases the scent of croissants when rubbed. For philatelists, this could become a particularly unique collectible item.
According to Agence France-Presse, La Poste announced on its website that nearly 600,000 of these stamps were issued as a tribute to the “symbol of French cuisine.”
Croissants are considered a symbol of French gastronomy by La Poste, also being one of the favorite viennoiseries of the French people and a signature product of bakeries. Not only does it guarantee quality, but it also reflects the skills of the makers.
This bread is made of flaky dough rich in butter, with a light and fluffy texture, a golden and crispy crust, and a rich buttery fragrance. This classic French pastry is often enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack with coffee breaks.
A “good croissant” depends on the quality of the flour and butter used, the fermentation time of the dough, the method of spreading and shaping the butter, and the temperature and baking time of the oven – all of which are crucial steps in the production process and undoubtedly require exquisite techniques.
According to AFP, in a post office in the southeastern French city of Valence, the aroma of butter and flaky pastry fills the air. The post office director, Anthony Richet, told AFP that he is very proud to be able to sell these stamps.
Valence is one of the three locations where the French postal service introduced this new stamp, coinciding with the National Best Butter Croissant Competition held in the southeast of the country.
The post office managed by Richet serves approximately 400 customers daily. He mentioned that out of the 400 customers the previous day, 50 were stamp collectors, some even traveling from Lyon.
He mentioned that the post office had 1,000 stamps available for sale, and on the first day of sales, they sold more than 400.
The stamp is priced at 2.1 euros (2.4 dollars), which is 1 euro (1.2 dollars) more expensive than the average price of a croissant in France. It can be used for international mail, and the stamp also features a commemorative design.
Richet stated, “This is a symbol of France’s influence abroad.”
The Institute of Culinary Education in the United States stated on its website that regarding the history of croissants, various accounts mostly agree that it originated in Austria and later flourished in France.
Food experts and historians believe that croissants have become a uniquely French pastry. The French government even declared it a national product in 1920.
Many other countries also have their own variations of croissants, such as the croissant sandwich in the United States. Croissants have become one of the main products in modern global cuisine.