France Goes Blue: New Smurf World Record Set!

 

In a vibrant spectacle of blue and white, the small town of Landerneau in western France has successfully smashed the world record for the largest gathering of people dressed as Smurfs. On Saturday, May 17, 2025, a whopping 3,076 individuals, adorned in blue face paint and iconic white hats, gathered to sing "smurfy" songs, finally wresting the title from Lauchringen, Germany, which had held the record with 2,762 Smurfs since 2019.

Landerneau, with a population of 16,000, had twice before attempted to claim this quirky record. Their previous attempt in 2023 was thwarted by heavy rain, and a promising bid in 2020, with over 3,500 participants, was unfortunately invalidated by Guinness World Records due to a technicality involving a missing document. Undeterred, the town's persistent "Smurf" enthusiasts were encouraged to try again by film production company Paramount, which is set to release "Smurfs, The Movie" in July. Paramount's support included handling the event's PR and offering 1,200 free preview tickets, providing a significant boost to the local efforts.

The event was a testament to community spirit and a welcome diversion from everyday worries. Landerneau mayor Patrick Leclerc, himself in full Smurf attire, emphasized how the endeavor "brings people together and gives them something else to think about than the times we're living in." Pascal Soun, head of the organizing association, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the gathering "allows people to have fun and enter an imaginary world for a few hours."

Participants of all ages embraced the whimsical challenge. Simone Pronost, 82, was seen sipping a beer dressed as Smurfette, while 20-year-old student Albane Delariviere traveled over 200 kilometers from Rennes to join, stating, "We thought it was a cool idea to help Landerneau out." 

The joyous occasion brought together individuals from far and wide, all united by their shared love for the beloved Belgian cartoon characters, first created by Peyo in 1958. This record-breaking "smurfy" celebration undoubtedly created lasting memories for the participants and put Landerneau firmly on the map for its delightful achievement.