PARIS, France (AFP) — The French baguette — "250 grams of magic and perfection," in the words of President Emmanuel Macron, and one of the abiding symbols of the nation — was given United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization heritage status on Wednesday.

The bread, with its crusty exterior and soft middle, has remained a quintessential part of French life long after other stereotypes like berets and strings of garlic have fallen by the wayside.

More than six billion are baked every year in France, according to the National Federation of French Bakeries, and the UN agency's "intangible cultural heritage status" honors the tradition.

"It celebrates a whole culture: the daily ritual, a structural element of a meal, synonymous with sharing and conviviality," UNESCO director-general Audrey Azoulay said.

Speaking from Washington during a visit to the United States, Macron praised the UNESCO recognition of French "know-how."

"This is something inimitable," he said.

France submitted its request to UNESCO in early 2021, with baguettes chosen over the zinc roofs of Paris and a wine festival in Arbois in the east of the country.