The Marseille soap tradition

The tradition of Marseille soap goes back many centuries and is an integral part of French Provencal history and culture. Marseille soap is widely recognized for its natural, artisanal and environmentally-friendly qualities.

The historical origins of Marseille soap

Marseille soap is an heir to Aleppo soap, a soap made from olive oil and laurel that has been produced in Syria for thousands of years. Introduced to Europe in the Middle Ages, soap production then developed in Marseille, which quickly became the capital of the industry thanks to its proximity to olive groves and ports, facilitating access to raw materials.

The first official mention of Marseille soap dates back to the 14th century, and in the 17th century, Louis XIV issued a regulation, the Édit de Colbert in 1688, which codified the manufacture of Marseille soap, requiring it to be made only with vegetable oils, with no animal fats.

Traditional composition of Marseille soap

Genuine Marseille soap is made from simple, natural ingredients:

- 70% vegetable oil (traditionally olive oil).
- Soda (sodium hydroxide) for saponification.
- Water and salt.

The manufacturing process excludes colorants, perfumes and other chemical additives. This gives Marseille soap its hypoallergenic, skin-friendly properties.

Manufacturing process: cooking in a cauldron

The saponification process for Marseille soap, known as the Marseilles process, is a five-stage process, often referred to as "cooking in a cauldron". This process, which lasts around 10 days, guarantees a high-quality end product. Here are the main stages :

1. Saponification : The oils are heated with soda.
2. Cooking : The paste is cooked for about 10 days.
3. Washing : The paste is washed several times to remove impurities.
4. Liquidation : The paste is dehydrated.
5. Drying and cutting : After solidification, the soap is cut and stamped by hand

Differents types of Marseille soap

There are two main varieties of Marseille soap :

- Green soap : Made from olive oil.
- White soap : Made from coconut or palm oil.

Multiple uses for Marseille soap

Traditionally, Marseille soap is recognized for its multiple uses :

- Body hygiene : It is used for cleansing, thanks to its skin-softening properties and hypoallergenic properties.
- Laundry : It is also used for washing clothes, as it is effective at removing stains and cleaning fabrics while respecting the fibers.
- Household cleaning : It can be used to wash surfaces, dishes and even delicate products such as jewelry.


Our solid soaps are made in the tradition of Marseille soaps.