Marseille Soaps

Marseille Soaps

4 products
Authentic Savon de Marseille soap 11 oz
Le Savon de Marseille un soin quotidien pour la peau
Authentic Savon de Marseille Soap - 11oz
Savon de Marseille Vert en Cube 600g
Marseille soap in Cube format 21 oz
Marseille Soap Cube 21oz – Savon de Marseille
Buy Savon de Marseille online at La Maison du Savon de Marseille
Marseille Soap Bar 4oz - Authentic Savon de Marseille
Savon solide parfumé à l'huile d'olive
Parfum à l'huile d'Olive de Grasse
Oliv Oil Soap Bar with Organic Shea Butter 4oz

Marseille Soaps – Authentic Tradition and Natural Composition

La Maison du Savon de Marseille presents its collection of genuine Marseille soaps, crafted using a traditional artisanal process that follows the ancestral method of hot saponification.

With a composition of Marseille soap containing 72% plant oils such as olive oil, this soap is the result of a natural chemical reaction between fats and lye, producing a creamy lather and exceptional cleansing power. Thanks to its natural surfactant properties, the soap molecule binds to both water and grease, ensuring a deep and effective clean.

Our Marseille soaps are made without colorants, artificial fragrances, or parabens, making them ideal even for sensitive skin. The extended drying process allows the soap to harden naturally without cracking, ensuring long-lasting use.

Available in solid bar form, these soaps are perfect for both daily hygiene and household use. Choose from the green version made with olive oil, or the white version made with coconut oil.

Experience the authenticity and tradition of Marseille soap with La Maison du Savon de Marseille gentle care for your skin and respectful of the environment.

FAQ

Marseille soap contains 72% plant oils, primarily olive oil for the green soap and coconut oil for the white soap, with no colorants or additives.

Yes, its cleansing and bacteriostatic properties make it highly effective, and it doesn’t leave behind any residues that promote bacterial growth.

Store it in a dry place on a soap dish with good drainage. This helps the soap dry between uses and significantly extends its lifespan.

LEARN MORE

With centuries of tradition behind them, Marseille soaps are more than just cleansing bars — they’re a symbol of authentic French craftsmanship.

The story begins over 300 years ago, when soapmaking knowledge was passed from Syrian artisans to the Mediterranean region. In 1688, King Louis XIV’s Minister Colbert issued the famous Édit de Colbert, establishing the first official guidelines for Savon de Marseille. This decree banned the use of animal fats and required only vegetable oils, such as olive oil, to be used in production — setting the gold standard for soap purity.

Later, in 1812, Napoleon Bonaparte implemented the first certification system for Marseille soap, requiring the phrase “À l’huile d’olive” on every authentic bar. This was one of the earliest forms of protected geographical indication for soap in France.

Today, real Marseille soaps are still made following this time-honored process. As members of the Union des Professionnels du Savon de Marseille (UPSM), we uphold these strict standards to guarantee authenticity. Every bar is made with at least 72% vegetable oil — most commonly olive oil — and contains no colorants, no fragrance, no parabens.

So, how is Marseille soap made?

Through a natural chemical process called saponification, plant-based oils react with an alkaline base, such as lye or potash, to create soap and natural glycerin. The resulting soap molecule has a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and a lipophilic (oil-attracting) tail — giving Marseille soap its powerful yet gentle cleansing ability, rich lather, and biodegradable properties.

Did you know? While Savon de Marseille is the oldest hygienic soap still in use in France, the name isn’t protected — meaning many commercial products use the term "Marseille" without following any traditional process. Only a few soapmakers, including UPSM-certified ones, continue the true legacy.

Discover the timeless purity of authentic Marseille soap — minimal, natural, effective.