Savon de Marseille is made in Provence and is one of the local produces found in the regions shops and markets.
They still make savon de Marseille in the traditional manner and I must admit I was surprised at how faithfully the old traditions are upheld and at the skincare merits of real Marseilles soap.
Savon de Marseille is made from olive oil, sea plants, salt water from the Mediterranean and alkaline ash when produced old style (a process which takes two weeks), it covers a vast floor area around 6 centimetres deep then is cut by an instrument which looks more like a plough, the attached blades slicing the soap into the olive green square blocks which you find on sale.
Friends of mine in Grassington ask me specially to bring them Marseille soap back if I have been in Provence, though they do say they have to be careful not to drop it in the shower for fear of serious injury!
It is these friends and subsequent viewing of documentaries on French television which brought to my attention the qualities of true Marseille soap, a trademark which goes back to 1688. Apparently it moisturizes very well and cleanses through natural antibacterial substances.
I like the look and feel of Savon de Marseille, it has an old fashioned style which is a bit like Marmite, its old fashioned yet its got something about it which is appealing and hard to define. Its nice to see that its very much in vogue.
Provence products are found increasingly in shops all round the world but like most things you get the real Macoy in France. Take a self catering holiday in Provence in one of our beautiful French villas and discover the real local Provence produce “fabrique en Provence”.