Where to Buy Authentic Traditional Savon de Marseille & French Market Soaps in the UK

If you’ve ever wandered through the lavender fields of Provence or visited a local French market, chances are you’ve seen piles of rustic, beautifully stamped soaps in earthy colours and intoxicating scents. These are Savon de Marseille and Provençal market soaps—part of a centuries-old tradition that celebrates natural ingredients, craftsmanship, and sustainability.

But if you're outside France, especially in the UK, how can you be sure you're buying the real thing? In this guide, we’ll show you what to look for, what to avoid, and where to find genuine French soap online and in shops.

What Is Savon de Marseille?

Savon de Marseille is a hard soap traditionally made in Marseille using a time-honoured process that dates back over 600 years. By law, it must be made in cauldrons, using natural oils—traditionally olive oil, sometimes coconut or palm—and contain no synthetic additives or fragrances.

Authentic Savon de Marseille will often be:

• A large cube or block (300g–600g)

• Stamped with the words “Savon de Marseille”

• Made with at least 72% oil (you’ll often see “72%” stamped into the bar)

• Produced in Marseille or surrounding regions

• Free from SLS, EDTA, parabens, and synthetic fragrances

What Are French Market Soaps?

Inspired by regional traditions, French market soaps are usually smaller, fragranced bars that come in dozens of beautiful scents—from lavender, rose, and verbena, to goat’s milk, honey, and argan oil. These soaps are perfect for gifting and everyday use and often made using traditional methods in Provence or southern France.

Look for:

• Vegetable base oils (olive, coconut, sunflower)
• Natural fragrances or essential oils
• Artisan or family-run production
• “Made in France” or regional origin markers such as "fabrique en Provence"

 What to Avoid: Faux Marseille Soaps

Unfortunately, the popularity of Savon de Marseille means there are many imitations on the market—especially in souvenir shops or online marketplaces. Here’s how to spot the fakes:

• No oil percentage listed (authentic Marseille soaps often say “72% d’huile”)
• Made outside of France
• Contains synthetic detergents
• Artificial colours or overly bright dyes
• Strong synthetic scent

Where to Buy Authentic French Soaps in the UK

If you're in the UK and want to buy genuine Savon de Marseille or artisanal French market soaps, you’re in luck. There are a few trusted suppliers that import directly from France.

✅ French Soaps UK

We stock the widest and most extensive range of traditional and market soaps in the UK, including:

• Fer à Cheval – Marseille’s oldest soap maker, founded in 1856
• La Corvette – Organic and certified Marseille soaps from the original Savonnerie du Midi
• Tadé – Olive & laurel oil soaps with rich Middle Eastern heritage 
• Artisan French Market Soaps – Fragranced options for every taste

Can You Buy Authentic Soap in Markets or Supermarkets?

• In France: Yes, but be selective. Markets like those in Aix-en-Provence, Arles, or Avignon often feature real artisan soap makers, but check the ingredient list.
• In the UK: Supermarkets usually stock mass-produced soaps, often inspired by Savon de Marseille but we haven't found any truly authentic.
• On the UK High Street - There are some small independents, often selling French Antique Furniture, or florists, or traditional hardware stores for example that do sell authentic products. Always ask the question, if they can't answer instantly beware!
• On Amazon/Ebay: Be cautious— beware of counterfeits, there are many Chinese versions available. 

Why It Matters: Quality, Skin Health & Sustainability

• Better for Sensitive Skin: True Marseille soaps are hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and ideal for eczema or allergy-prone skin.
• Eco-Friendly: Minimal packaging, biodegradable ingredients, and zero microplastics.
• Multifunctional: Use them for body, face, laundry, dishes—even pets!

Bringing Savon de Marseille Home from France?

If you’re visiting Provence or the Côte d’Azur, keep an eye out for these soap shops and producers:

• Savonnerie Marius Fabre – Salon-de-Provence - available on Amazon in the UK
• Fer à Cheval – Marseille - Never on Amazon
• Rampal Latour – Salon-de-Provence - not in the UK
• Local Provence Markets – for colourful and beautifully scented bars

Tip: Choose the heavier cube—it lasts for months and can be used all around the home.

French Soaps Say:

Buying authentic French soap is not just a purchase—it’s an experience of tradition, wellness, and craftsmanship. Whether you're looking for a multi-use olive oil cube or a beautifully scented gift soap, choose trusted suppliers who share the same values of transparency, sustainability, and heritage.

🔗 Browse our Authentic and Extensive French Soap Collection