After all the beautiful and modern art, I got to see in Marseille, a visit at the Marius Fabre soap manufactory was a nice change. The original Marseille soap is made the same way as in 1900.
Marius Fabre soap factory for the original Marseille soap
Marius Fabre soap factory – Museum – Marseille soap also has been used to wash laundry. A lot of old soap factories had to close after the invention of the washing mashine.
How the real Marseille soap is made
Just as The Sun King – Louis XIV of France decreed in the 17th century, 3 simple ingredients is all that’s needed. Vegetable oil, marine salt and soda are baked in a caldron. Every day the soap mixture will be washed with salt water to guarantee a very pure soap. After 10 days the hot – lava like – mixture is ready to be poured into the drying room where after 2 days big blocks of about 30 kg (66 lbs) are cut out for further processing.
Entering the room with the (huge!) caldron is like hitting a wall. If you have seen Labyrinth and heard about “The bog of eternal stench”, you get the idea. The funny part: It also looks the same!
Used to that special aroma, Julie Bousquet Fabre, the great-granddaughter of Marius Fabre, explains the procedure with a smile. All visitors are somewhat relieved to exit the room, that is overlooked by a statue of Virgin Mary. The boiling process can get really dangerous therefore the workers need her protection.
One of theese two definitely smells better! – Real Marseille soap and the caldron in which it is boiled
Marius Fabre soap factory – Virgin Mary is watching over the production process that Julie, the great-granddaughter of Marius Fabre, is explaining to the visitors.
Marius Fabre soap factory – Drying room
The stench is gone – How the soap is processed
After leaving these hallowed halls the fun part begins and the smell is much better! Finally scents like vervaine, roses and honeysuckle are tickling my nose. The Marseille soap is not only available unscented (which also can be used to clean the floor, laundy and your pet!) but also combined with finest essential oils.
As a visitor you can see how the soap is cut and stamped with the unique Savon de Marseille Logo and you are invited to assist in this step. We were allowed to cut off our very own piece of soap and swing the hammer to try and make the crocked soap bar pretty. I think I’m a natural and might consider soap making my 3rd career one day. NOT ;)
The big soap blocks are cut into shape
Leftovers from the cutting process
Cutting off my very own soap bar
Did you ever visit the Marius Fabre soap factory?
Have you been to this place and want to share your experience? Are there any other cool factories, that are a must see and I definitely should visit? Let me know in the comments below or connect with me on facebook! I’d love to hear from you!
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3 comments
thanks for this amazing suggestion … I will go certainly!
=)
Nice! I love these things. Would definitely like to visit the place : )
Cheers,
Jutta
Great post x