There is something instantly memorable about Marseille.
The light feels brighter, the colours seem warmer and the scent of the region is never far away - lavender, olive oil, herbs, sea air and the unmistakable fragrance of traditional French soap.
Our recent visit gave us the chance to experience more of the culture behind the products we have known and loved for years. It was an opportunity to explore Marseille, meet the people connected to its soapmaking heritage and better understand the traditions that continue to shape this beautiful part of France.
A city shaped by history
Marseille is a city full of contrast.
Its historic streets, busy markets, old harbour and sunlit buildings sit alongside a creative, modern energy. The city feels relaxed but alive, with a warmth and confidence that reflects the wider character of Provence.
Soapmaking has long been part of that story.
Traditional Marseille soap grew from a simple combination of vegetable oils, water, salt and alkaline ingredients. Over generations, these practical household products became closely associated with the region and its identity.
Today, French soapmaking includes everything from authentic traditional Marseille soap to beautifully fragranced soaps, body care, home products and gifts.
Meeting the people behind the products
One of the most meaningful parts of our visit was making stronger connections with the original manufacturers and teams behind the products Edenwood brings to the UK.
Seeing the region for ourselves helped place the products in their proper context.
These are not simply colourful soaps on a shelf. They are connected to local traditions, familiar ingredients, regional fragrances and generations of knowledge.
The people we met were warm, welcoming and passionate about what they create. Their pride in the products, the ingredients and the culture of Provence was clear throughout our visit.
It is this human connection that gives the products their character.
The natural philosophy of La Maison du Savon de Marseille
For La Maison du Savon de Marseille, naturalness is more than a promise - it is a philosophy.
Its products are designed in harmony with nature, using carefully selected ingredients chosen for their purity, fragrance and skincare benefits.
Vegetable oils including olive, argan and copra form the basis of many formulations. Organic shea butter is used for its nourishing and moisturising qualities, helping soaps feel gentle and comfortable on the skin.
Natural essential oils and evocative fragrances bring each collection to life - from calming Provençal lavender to the sun-soaked warmth of Monoï.
Why Marseille soap remains so popular
Traditional Marseille soap is valued for its simplicity and versatility.
Depending on the formulation, it may be used for cleansing the hands and body, caring for fabrics or completing everyday household tasks.
Many people appreciate solid soaps because they are long-lasting, easy to use and require less packaging than many liquid alternatives.
Vegetable oil-based soaps can also provide a gentle, effective cleanse without making an everyday routine feel overly complicated.
The enduring appeal lies in that combination of practicality, heritage and authenticity.
Lavender and the landscape of Provence
Few ingredients are as closely associated with Provence as lavender.
Across the region, lavender fields create sweeping areas of purple against warm stone, green hills and bright blue skies.
La Maison du Savon de Marseille draws particular inspiration from the lavender of Sault, near Mont Ventoux. Grown at altitude, the lavender is known for its distinctive fragrance and its deep connection to the local landscape.
Lavender has become far more than a decorative scent. It represents calm, tradition and the natural beauty of Provence.
From Provence to Grasse
Fragrance plays an important role in French soapmaking.
Many of the soaps and body care collections we enjoy are influenced by the wider perfume traditions of southern France, including those associated with Grasse.
Known internationally for its perfume heritage, Grasse has helped shape the way natural ingredients, flowers and aromatic materials are blended into distinctive fragrances.
This influence can be felt across many French soap collections - from lavender, verbena and rose to marine scents, warm woods and exotic Monoï.
Each fragrance creates its own sense of place and turns a simple everyday wash into something more memorable.
A culture of simple pleasures
What stayed with us most was the atmosphere of the region.
Provence encourages you to slow down and notice the smaller things - sunlight through trees, the scent of herbs in the air, colourful market displays, local food and the easy warmth of the people.
That same spirit can be found in the products.
A beautifully fragranced soap, a nourishing hand wash or a carefully chosen gift can bring a small part of Provence into an ordinary day.
It is everyday care, but with a stronger sense of ritual, pleasure and place.
Bringing the spirit of Provence home
Our visit to Marseille strengthened our connection to the brands, people and traditions behind the products Edenwood offers.
It also reminded us why these collections continue to resonate with customers in the UK.
They combine natural ingredients, beautiful fragrances, useful everyday products and a genuine connection to the culture of southern France.
We are proud to continue sharing that story and bringing the essence of Provence a little closer to home.
Discover our collection of La Maison du Savon de Marseille soaps, body care and home fragrances.
