Puratos’ Vitus Sourdough Selected as Signature Starter for New Louvre Museum Bakery

Puratos has announced that its heritage Vitus sourdough has been chosen as the signature starter for La Boulangerie du Louvre, the world’s first fully operational artisan bakery located inside a major art museum. Situated beneath the iconic glass pyramid of the Louvre in Paris, the bakery will use Vitus to craft fresh artisan breads daily for museum visitors.

While Vitus is not part of Puratos’ commercial sourdough portfolio, it holds a prominent place within the company’s Sourdough Library, a unique fermentation archive managed by the Puratos Sourdough Institute. The starter was officially handed over on 11 June during a ceremony led by Karl De Smedt, the Library’s curator, to bakers Pascal Rigo and Arnaud Chevalier, who developed the bakery concept in partnership with Musiam Paris.

From Archive to Artisan Icon

Vitus was originally deposited in the Sourdough Library in 2017 by German journalist and sourdough advocate Martina Goernemann, who documented its revival in her book Sourdough: Four Days to Happiness. The culture went on to inspire John Whalley’s Bread of Life painting—the first known artwork dedicated to a sourdough starter.

With its unique aromatic profile—marked by hints of grape, honey, and gentle acidity—Vitus is well-suited for producing complex, flavour-rich breads. It will be used not only in the bakery’s signature Pain du Louvre, but also in other speciality breads served next door at Café Pyramide.

Craftsmanship Meets Culture

La Boulangerie du Louvre, operated by Musiam Paris, exemplifies the increasing integration of high-quality food experiences in cultural spaces. By placing a heritage sourdough at the centre of its offering, the concept blends art, history and daily nourishment—bringing fermentation into the museum-going experience.

Founded in 2013 in Saint-Vith, Belgium, the Puratos Sourdough Library is the only facility globally dedicated to preserving natural sourdough cultures. With over 150 starters from 25+ countries, it serves as a research and education hub under the Puratos Sourdough Institute. Vitus, as a Puratos-owned culture, is uniquely authorised for use in rare collaborations that embody the Library’s mission.

This high-profile installation marks a new milestone for sourdough heritage, showcasing how artisanal fermentation can thrive in the world’s most celebrated cultural institutions.