This century-old craft product is a favourite souvenir with tourists

Marseille has been producing excellent soap since the Middle Ages, exporting it all over Europe. Authentic Marseille soap, the quality of which has been regulated since the end of the 17th century, is made from just four ingredients: vegetable oil (traditionally olive oil), soda, water and salt. No chemicals are used in its composition! The manufacturing process, which has been patiently worked out, results in a high-quality end product.

This age-old know-how is still perpetuated by several soap factories in Marseille and Provence, such as Savonnerie Fer à Cheval, Savonnerie du Midi and Savonnerie du Sérail. These family-run businesses keep alive a tradition of craftsmanship that is part of the identity of all the people of Marseille.

Looking for an authentic and useful gift idea? Marseille soap is much more than a simple hygiene product: a symbol of the city and a popular souvenir with tourists, it is above all a product that works miracles while respecting our health and the planet. Its ecological and environmentally-friendly recipe makes it an invaluable ally in a more sustainable lifestyle. Used for personal hygiene, household cleaning or to make your own eco-friendly washing powder, Marseille soap showcases local know-how while offering a multitude of practical uses. Its natural composition and versatility are winning over more and more consumers who are concerned about their health and the environmental impact of their purchases.

To treat yourself or a loved one, slip a Marseille soap into your suitcase when you leave!

Not all soaps sold in Marseille are authentic Marseille soaps! To be sure of the authenticity of a Marseille soap, several criteria can be taken into account.

Traditionally, Marseille soap is sold in cubes or bars. Today, however, it is marketed in other forms, including more practical and more attractive bars of soap. So the shape can’t always help you.

The brand is an important indicator: opt for one of the traditional Marseilles soap factories or other well-known Provencal soap factories such as Marius Fabre or Rampal Latour.

Authentic olive oil Marseille soap is also distinguished by its green or brown/green colour and its composition, which must include 72% olive oil. With no artificial colourings or fragrances, it has a light olive scent. You can also find white Marseille soaps: the olive oil is then replaced by another vegetable oil, and you lose the benefits for the skin and the moisturising properties of the olive. Scented soaps, which are fun and colourful, are not authentic Marseille soaps, as they incorporate ingredients other than vegetable oil, soda, water and salt.

Still in doubt? A logo developed by the Union des Professionnels du Savon de Marseille can help you identify an authentic product. The stamp is affixed directly to the soap. By choosing a genuine Marseille soap, you’re supporting local craftsmanship and getting a souvenir worthy of your stay: authentic and enjoyable!