Founded in 1856, Fer à Cheval is the oldest soap factory in Marseille still producing authentic Savon de Marseille using the original centuries-old method. While most brands have long since moved production to factories elsewhere, Fer à Cheval remains in Marseille — where master soap-makers continue to follow the traditional 72-hour kettle-cooking process that has defined French soap-making since the 17th century. The result is soap that is genuinely different: purer, gentler, and longer-lasting than anything mass-produced.

Savon de Marseille is not just a product — it is a French cultural institution, protected by strict composition rules that require a minimum of 72% vegetable oil, no colorants, no preservatives, and no animal fats. Fer à Cheval's soaps meet and exceed those standards, crafted from organic olive oil and other plant-based oils, hypoallergenic, dermatologically tested, and biodegradable. The iconic olive soap cube has been used for bathing, laundry, and household cleaning for generations — and remains one of the most versatile, effective, and gentle soaps available anywhere.

The collection spans bar soaps and soap cubes for personal care, enriched shea butter soaps in fragrances including Rose Petals, Energizing Lavender, White Tea & Yuzu, and Seaside Citrus, as well as liquid soaps, liquid black soap for household cleaning, and traditional soap flakes for laundry. From everyday hand soap to a beautifully presented gift set, Fer à Cheval covers the full range — all made in Marseille, all rooted in the same 170-year tradition.

Fina Tavola is an authorized US retailer of Fer à Cheval, offering authentic Marseille soaps imported directly from France with fast shipping from our US warehouse — no international wait times, no customs surprises.

New to Fer à Cheval ? Read our guide: → Savon de Marseille: The 600-Year French Soap Tradition & Why Fer à Cheval Does it Best