History of the famous Marseille Soap

The Story of Marseille Soap – From Ancient Craft to Modern Luxury

 

There is something quietly magical about a cube of Savon de Marseille. At first glance, it is simple — raw, honest, almost humble. But behind that iconic green or ivory block lies a story that stretches back centuries, shaped by trade routes, royal decrees, olive groves, and generations of passionate soap makers.

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A Soap Born from the Mediterranean

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Long before Marseille became synonymous with soap, early forms of cleansing mixtures already existed in ancient Europe. But it was in the South of France, around the bustling port city of Marseille, that soap truly found its identity.

By the late 1300s, the first recorded soap makers had established themselves in the region . Inspired by techniques brought back from the Crusades and enriched by the natural resources of Provence — olive oil, sea salt, and alkaline ash — Marseille became the beating heart of European soap production.

By the 17th century, demand had exploded. So much so that in 1688, under King Louis XIV, the famous Colbert Edictwas introduced, strictly regulating what could be called “Savon de Marseille.” Only soaps made with pure vegetable oils — traditionally olive oil — and produced in the Marseille region were worthy of the name .

This wasn’t just soap anymore.
It was heritage.

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Fun Facts About Marseille Soap

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• Traditional Marseille soap is made using a 14-day cooking process in large cauldrons 

• It contains as few as four natural ingredients: vegetable oil, water, salt, and soda

• The iconic cube was once sold in 5kg and 20kg blocks

• It has been used not only for skin and laundry — but also as a natural pesticide in gardens

• At its peak, Marseille had over 100 soap factories producing hundreds of thousands of tonnes annually 

• in 1812 Napoleon was the one that defined the Marseille cube shape and the stamp of 72% oil + the name of the manufacturer + the city of Marseille and warned that soap not made in Marseille would be confiscated.

And yet today… only a handful of true traditional producers remain.

 

The Legendary Soap Factories of Marseille

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Through time, a few historic soap makers have kept the tradition alive:

• Savonnerie Marius Fabre

• Savonnerie Fer à Cheval

• Savonnerie du Midi

• Savonnerie du Sérail 

These are not just factories — they are guardians of a craft that nearly disappeared.

 

Marius Fabre – A Living Legacy Since 1900

 

Among them, Marius Fabre stands apart.

Founded in 1900 in Salon-de-Provence by a young man of just 22, the company began humbly — with only two cauldrons in a garden shed .

More than a century later, those same methods are still used.

This is not marketing.
It is continuity.

For over four generations, the Fabre family has preserved the authentic Marseille soap-making process — cooking soap in large cauldrons, using only vegetable oils, with no artificial additives, no perfumes, and no shortcuts .

At a time when most soap factories disappeared during the 20th century due to industrialisation and synthetic detergents, Marius Fabre adapted, survived, and remained fiercely committed to authenticity .

Today, they are one of the last true producers of genuine Savon de Marseille, recognised as a “Living Heritage Company.”

 

A Personal Connection

 

What makes this story even more special for us is that this is not just a supplier.

We visit Marius Fabre twice a year.

We walk through the factory, feel the warmth of the cauldrons, breathe in the subtle scent of olive oil soap, and speak directly with the family about ideas, traditions, and the future of Marseille soap.

Each visit is not just business.
It is inspiration.

 

The Future: Marseille Soap Meets Grasse Perfume

 

For centuries, Marseille soap has been defined by its purity — famously free of fragrance.

But today, a new chapter is beginning.

Just a short distance from Marseille lies Grasse, the perfume capital of the world. Here, centuries of expertise in fragrance creation meet the raw authenticity of Marseille soap.

This opens the door to something extraordinary:

A modern Marseille soap
— still made using traditional methods
— still rooted in natural ingredients
— but elevated with carefully crafted fragrances from Grasse

This is not about changing tradition.
It is about continuing it.

Blending the purity of Savon de Marseille with the artistry of fine perfumery creates a new sensory experience — one that respects history while embracing the future.