Marseilles soap's history, page3

The decline

1929 is the year of the great recession and the production is relocated to the colonies. World War II does not help. Almost no soaps are produced in Marseille anymore and during the following decades the famous washing powder will be a huge success. Even more enormous when 'Skip' finds a way to integrate it into the washing machine without foam overflowing!

The same goes for the scented soap industry that Marseille soap makers did not really developed.

Meanwhile, American manufacturers came in force into the market and bought the few soap companies left in Marseille. Lack of commercial ambition, lack of cash, unable to modernize, the Marseille soap industry fight for its survival. The French colonial empire dismantled, the lack of entrepreneurship, relocations : anyone anywhere can now make soaps and called them Marseille soaps.

A new Beginning

Nowadays in Marseille, remains a few soap makers. Fiery defenders of their legacy and proud of their Marseille soap, manufactured according to the traditional way, cooked in cauldrons as their predecessors once did as a sign of honesty and authenticity.

It is from these passionate craftsmen that come our Marseille soaps we want you to enjoy. So, next time you take a shower and while the history of Marseille flows down on your skin, think that Marseille soap is born again...in ways and forms that will surprise you!

This summary of Marseille soap's history is inspired by:

Les savons de Marseille

by Bernard Duplessy and Franck Rozet.

Published by Edisud, France.

In addition, we suggest to read this part of a document published in 1873 which shows the eternal dilemma Marseille soaps makers were facing.

En complément à ce petit résumé, nous vous proposons de lire l'extrait d'un document publié en 1873 et qui relate le dileme auquel devait faire face les savonneries de Marseille.