Rennes Bakery’s ‘Ligue 2’ Cake Trolls Nantes Ahead of Derby—And Fans Are Loving It

RENNES, France — A tiny bakery in the heart of Rennes has turned the city’s football rivalry into a deliciously cheeky spectacle. Just days before Stade Rennais hosted FC Nantes in a high-stakes Ligue 1 derby on April 26, 2026, the bakery Au four et au moulin renamed its signature “Le Nantais” pastry to “Le Ligue 2″—a playful jab at Nantes’ precarious position in the French top flight.

The move, first spotted by a Stade Rennais supporter and shared on social media, quickly went viral, capturing the competitive spirit—and humor—of one of France’s most intense football rivalries. Here’s what happened, why it matters, and what it says about the stakes of this weekend’s match.

What Happened: A Pastry With a Punchline

On April 24, 2026, a Stade Rennais fan known on X (formerly Twitter) as @Marcoleptik shared a photo of the renamed pastry from Au four et au moulin, a bakery located on Rue Vaneau in central Rennes. The original “Le Nantais”—a traditional butter cake named after Nantes—had been temporarily rebranded with a label reading “Le Ligue 2,” a direct reference to Nantes’ struggles in Ligue 1.

La boulangerie à côté de chez moi a renommé son gâteau initialement appelé « Le Nantais » 😭 pic.twitter.com/XFDyJfPaxM

— Marcoleptik (@Marcoleptik) April 24, 2026

The post, which included a photo of the cake priced at €2.50, sparked immediate reactions from fans on both sides. For Stade Rennais supporters, it was a lighthearted way to celebrate their team’s strong season. For Nantes fans, it was a reminder of the pressure their club faces as they fight to avoid relegation.

Why It Matters: The Stakes of the Derby

The timing of the bakery’s joke couldn’t have been more perfect. Heading into the April 26 match at Roazhon Park, Nantes sat 17th in Ligue 1, just five points above the relegation zone. A loss to Stade Rennais—a team vying for a European spot—would have deepened their crisis. Meanwhile, Rennes entered the match in 5th place, just three points behind fourth-place Lille in the race for Champions League qualification.

The derby itself lived up to its reputation for drama. In a tightly contested match, Stade Rennais secured a 2-1 victory thanks to a late goal from 17-year-old Kader Meïté, who became the third-youngest player in club history to score in Ligue 1. The win kept Rennes in the hunt for European football next season while dealing a critical blow to Nantes’ survival hopes.

For context, Nantes has spent much of the 2025-26 season in turmoil. After a strong 2021-22 campaign that saw them win the Coupe de France—defeating Nice 1-0 in the final—the club has struggled with consistency. Their current relegation battle is a far cry from the heights of that trophy-winning season, when players like Ludovic Blas (now at Rennes) and Moses Simon were key contributors.

The Rivalry: More Than Just a Cake

The “Le Ligue 2” cake is just the latest chapter in the long-standing rivalry between Stade Rennais and FC Nantes, two clubs separated by just 100 kilometers but united by a fierce competitive history. Known as the “Derby Breton,” matches between the two sides are often heated, with bragging rights—and now, apparently, baked goods—on the line.

This season’s derby was no exception. The April 26 match featured 10 yellow cards, a disallowed goal for a marginal offside call, and an electric atmosphere at Roazhon Park. Rennes manager Habib Beye described the victory as “the most abouti [accomplished] we’ve been at home this season,” praising his team’s patience and technical quality against a Nantes side that parked the bus defensively.

The rivalry extends beyond the pitch. In 2022, Nantes fans famously celebrated their Coupe de France triumph by mocking Rennes’ lack of recent silverware. Now, with Nantes fighting for survival and Rennes pushing for Europe, the tables have turned—and the bakery’s joke was a perfect encapsulation of that shift.

What’s Next for Nantes and Rennes

For Nantes, the road ahead is steep. With just a handful of matches remaining in the 2025-26 Ligue 1 season, they’ll need to secure points against direct rivals to avoid dropping into Ligue 2. Their next fixture is a crucial away match against fellow strugglers Auxerre, who currently sit just one point below them in the standings.

Rennes, meanwhile, will seem to build on their derby win as they chase a top-four finish. Their next match is a home game against Montpellier, a team that has struggled on the road this season. A win could see them leapfrog Lille into fourth place, setting up a thrilling finish to the campaign.

As for the bakery, Au four et au moulin has become an unlikely hero in Rennes’ footballing folklore. While the “Le Ligue 2” cake was a temporary rebrand, its impact has been lasting—proving that sometimes, the best trolling comes with a side of butter and sugar.

Key Takeaways

• The Joke: A Rennes bakery renamed its “Le Nantais” cake to “Le Ligue 2” ahead of the April 26 derby, referencing Nantes’ relegation battle.
• The Derby: Stade Rennais won 2-1, with 17-year-old Kader Meïté scoring the decisive goal in a chaotic, card-heavy match.
• The Stakes: Nantes sits 17th in Ligue 1, five points above the relegation zone, while Rennes is 5th, three points behind Lille for Champions League qualification.
• The Rivalry: The “Derby Breton” is one of France’s most intense local derbies, with bragging rights—and now pastries—on the line.
• What’s Next: Nantes faces Auxerre in a must-win match, while Rennes takes on Montpellier in a bid to climb into the top four.

How to Follow the Story

For official updates on Ligue 1 standings and fixtures, visit the Ligue 1 official website. To catch up on the latest from Stade Rennais and FC Nantes, check their respective club pages: Stade Rennais and FC Nantes.

Have a favorite football rivalry with a unique twist? Share your stories in the comments below—or let us know if you’d try the “Le Ligue 2” cake!