Summer is here, and with it comes an event that has become a must in Salon-de-Provence: guided tours and summer workshops at the Marius Fabre soap factory. This year, we are also opening the doors of the soap factory on Sundays July 27, August 3, 10, and 17.
Whether you are curious to discover the secrets of how real Marseille soap is made, passionate about traditional craftsmanship, or a fan of homemade natural cosmetics, a unique immersion awaits you in the heart of our workshops.
Go behind the scenes of the artisanal production of Marseille soap
Since 1900, at Marius Fabre, we have been perpetuating a family know-how passed down through four generations. When you step through the doors of our workshops, you will discover the stages of making genuine Marseille soap: cooking in cauldrons, drying in the “mises,” cutting, hand-marking... An authentic journey through time and ancestral gestures.
Guided tours Monday to Saturday:
From 9.45am to 11.15am & from 2.15pm to 5.45pm (departures every 30 minutes)
New: open on Sundays 27/07, 03/08, 10/08 and 17/08
Guided tours at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Online booking available at: www.marius-fabre.com
The Marius Fabre Experience: a themed, interactive tour
Want to experience the art of soap making in an even more immersive way? Opt for the themed tour, “The Marius Fabre Experience.” You'll discover the secrets of soap making before cutting your own bar of Marseille soap... which you can proudly take home with you!
From July 15 to August 30:
Monday to Saturday at 11:15 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.
Sundays when open at 2:30 p.m.
Price: $12/person – Ages 6 and up
Reservations required at:
A free museum to trace the history of soap
Housed in a former drying room, the Marseille Soap Museum traces more than 125 years of heritage. Vintage tools, boxwood stamps, soap molds, family archives... Take a fascinating dive into the world of Marseille soap and the history of the Fabre family.
Monday to Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. / 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Sundays July 27, August 3, 10, and 17: 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. / 2:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Free admission
Experience an authentic summer in the heart of the Marius Fabre soap factory
Whether you are visiting Provence or live in the region, the soap factory's special Sunday openings and summer events are the perfect opportunity to (re)discover a lively place that is deeply rooted in the region's artisanal history.