Big blocks of Savon de Marseille olive oil based soap have been crafted for one thousand years in the South of France. Since 1688 French law has declared that only soaps that are produced by following certain ancient methods, and containing only the purest ingredients, shall bear the famous mark “Savon de Marseille.”
It takes the Maitre de Savon (soapmaster) two weeks to make Marseille Soap. The delicate mixture of olive and vegetable oils, alkaline ash from sea plants and Mediterranean Sea salted water are heated for ten days in antique cauldrons.
Only a few savonneries near Marseille still make this legendary soap in the traditional manner. But Savon de Marseille is once again being rediscovered for its extraordinary purity and gentle skin care, and its popularity is again on the rise worldwide.
I especially love the pure olive oil, palm oil soap (great for sensitive skin) and the local crushed flower soap.
I live in Marseilles and I always use this soap but I 've never imagined that it was so famous and even international bloggers love it ...
ReplyDeleteOh how wonderful Melaine!!!
ReplyDeleteThese look so lush...I'm off to buy them now!!
ReplyDeleteHi - have fun in NY and in Texas~! Call me if you want to get together for coffee or lunch!
ReplyDeleteJoni
The soap from Provence is great. If you ever go to Grasse, you will be able to learn more about it.
ReplyDeleteI composed a French style baby shower mood board last week where I suggested the crushed flower Marseille soap as the party favors.
http://blog.kimvallee.com/archive/2007/10/02/The-birth-of-a-French-Style-Baby-Shower-this-Fall.aspx
I absolutely adore these soaps. And the pics are gorgeous!
ReplyDeletePS Love the new pic of you! You are looking great!
I will get in touch with you Joni!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link Kim.
Thank you Maryam!!!
This has always been a wonderful soap. I will admit it makes cleaning my shower a chore, but the softness of my skin more than makes up for it :)
ReplyDeleteThe soaps themselves are beautiful, love them for the aesthetics, what an interesting history.
ReplyDelete