Soap Museum

Let’s face it, Marseille soap is iconic. In fact, on your left, you’ll find the world-famous Soap Museum, a true emblem of the city. You see, soap has been used in France for many centuries. As far back as Antiquity, the Gauls crafted their own soap, combining animal fat and ashes. However, Marseille soap owes its origins to another legendary soap: Aleppo soap. Made in Syria for millennia, Aleppo soap’s recipe journeyed across the Mediterranean, reaching Italy, Spain, and finally, Marseille. The first French soap factories saw the light of day back in the Middle Ages, around the 12th century. Contrary to popular belief, the very first one actually opened in Toulon, and only later in Marseille. It wasn’t until the 17th century, when Louis IV passed the Edict Of Colbert, that Marseille soap truly carved out a niche. This decree regulated production, ensuring that Marseille-based soap factories were accredited and protected, unlike those in Toulon. In other words, the so-called Marseille soap could only be produced in the region. From then on, they needed to use pure Provençal olive oil, salt, and soda from the Camargue. Marseille soap’s popularity soared during the 19th and 20th centuries, as it was widely used for laundry, and mass-exported internationally. It truly propelled Marseille’s industry to new heights, prized for its purity, effectiveness, and eco-friendly nature. To this day, Marseille soap is still produced here and it’s a treasured piece of the city’s heritage. But be mindful of imitations! Marseille soap is now made all over the world, and often without respecting the true recipe and values of the product. The appellation “savon de Marseille” simply refers to the manufacturing process, not necessarily the authentic recipe. Look for soap with 72% olive oil content to ensure you’re getting the real deal. Today, there are but 5 soap factories in the region that follow this traditional recipe, including the Savonnerie du Midi, which houses the Soap Museum. The latter is a must-visit for anyone wanting to find out more about the iconic Marseille soap!