Savon de Marseille

Savon de Marseille, or Marseille soap, is a traditional hard soap made from vegetable oils that has been produced in the vicinity of Marseille, France, for centuries. The production method was first legalized by an edict of King Louis XIV in 1688, which established that only olive-oil-based soaps should be named 'Savon de Marseille'.

Today, the name is not a protected geographical indication (PGI), but several traditional soap makers in the Marseille region belong to the Union des Professionnels du Savon de Marseille (UPSM). Historically, the soap was manufactured using sea water from the Mediterranean, olive oil, and alkaline chemicals from sea plants. While the brand 'Savon de Marseille' is more of a generic designation for the style of soap, the highest quality authentic versions are still handmade in copper cauldrons within the Bouches-du-Rhône department of France.