23-Metre Vegan Ham-and-Butter Sandwich Takes Over Paris
On this International Picnic Day, the world record for the longest vegan Jambon Beurre – the iconic French ham-and-butter sandwich – was set in its birthplace – the heart of Paris. Measuring 23 metres long, it symbolised the 23 million pigs killed yearly for their meat in France. Set up by PETA France in Place de la Bastille and distributed free to passersby, this giant sandwich was made using vegan butter spread onto 23 metres of baguette with 11 lbs of vegan ham provided by French brand La Vie.
Thomas Saidi
Thomas Saidi
Pam Méliee
Pam MélieeWhy Vegan?
June 18 also marks the International Day of Sustainable Gastronomy – a symbolic moment highlighting the urgency of adopting planet- and animal-friendly diets. Experts agree that a vegan diet is far more sustainable than a meat-based one. This iconic sandwich proves it’s easy to enjoy delicious plant-based food without sacrificing flavour. It also spares pigs – sentient, intelligent, and social beings – who are crammed, mistreated, and slaughtered by the millions each year for their meat.
At each end of the giant sandwich, pig-shaped signs displayed key facts and figures:
- “Pigs are killed at 6 months old.”
- “Piglets communicate with a variety of sounds.”
- “Did you know a pig can solve puzzles?”
Behind the Walls of Farms: The Hidden Suffering of Pigs in France
Whether in France, the UK or elsewhere, pigs endure systematic abuse before their flesh is cut, vacuum-packed, and sold in supermarkets.
Farmers clip or grind down many piglets’ teeth and cut off their tails without painkillers. After female pigs give birth, they’re confined to farrowing crates so small they can’t even turn around, let alone fulfil their strong urge to build a nest as they would naturally do. They’re forcibly impregnated over and over again, and each litter of piglets is torn away from them after only a few weeks and transported to fattening pens before being sent to slaughter.
Every Animal Is Someone
Pigs are playful, friendly, sensitive, and intelligent individuals. Much like humans, they are soothed by music, love playing ball, and enjoy getting massages. Simple daily choices – like choosing a plant ham sandwich instead of eating pigs’ flesh – save lives. One of the best ways to show compassion for all animals is to stop eating them.
Grab your free copy of PETA’s Vegan Starter Kit and break records in compassion by transitioning to a delicious, healthy, and animal-friendly vegan diet.
We’ve also created a free, downloadable Empathy Kit, which offers a step-by-step guide for understanding others’ perspectives and experiences. Share one with a relative who eats meat and cheese, a neighbour who pulls on their dog’s lead during walks, a colleague who carries a crocodile-skin bag or wears wool or feathers, or anyone else who could benefit from a lesson in kindness.
