Savon de Marseille: A French soap opera
MANILA, Philippines - Oui, it’s Savon de Marseille, the quintessential soap from the south of France. There have been a number of imposters through the centuries, so much so that under the reign of Louis XIV, the Edict of Colbert was issued in 1688 to regulate its authenticity and purity, forbidding the use of animal fat and allowing only the use of pure olive oil.
Legend has it that soap was accidentally invented in ancient Rome on the hilltop altars where animals were set on fire as sacrifice to the gods. When the remains of burnt animal fat and ash came into contact with rain water, the mixture flowed down to the lowlands in the form of foaming pools. Laundry women discovered that this sudsy mixture cleaned better than plain water and promptly hoarded pieces of the miracle product. Not surprisingly, this part of Rome came to be known as Sapo.
It was in the Middle Ages when soap manufacturing came to Provence, the region of France celebrated for fine soaps and scents. This was due in large part to the fact that the principal ingredients needed — olive oil, salt, and soda ashes — were found here in abundance. By the 16th century, Marseille became the first official soap manufacturer in France, followed closely by Salon-de-Provence and Toulon. Although royal decree specified that only pure olive oil be used, other vegetable oils, like palm and coconut oil brought from French colonies, were eventually adopted for new formulations. The product, however, remained 100-percent natural, using only vegetable oils without any coloring or artificial additives and containing 72-percent oil, the official percentage stamped on every cube of soap.
Marius Fabre is one of a few manufacturers that have continued the Marseille legacy. “For over a hundred years, we have tasted our soap in the cauldrons to check on perfect fabrication. If the paste stings on the tongue, it means the soap needs another rinse in pure water,” shares Marie-Helene Bousquet, granddaughter of Marius Fabre.
The exceptional quality of the Marius Fabre soap makes it a gentle alternative to commercial varieties which can be harsh on the skin. More, containing no phosphates or synthetic substances, it is extremely kind to the environment. It is also kind to animals as animals are not used for testing products. An added plus is that Marius Fabre soap can last up to twice as long as regular commercial soap, making it good value for money.
The Marius Fabre line of soaps is available exclusively at AC+632 on the second floor, Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City with telephone number 758-2564 and fax number 758-2597.
