Posts Tagged ‘Marseille’

Sensational Summer Offer!
June 24, 2021

sensational summer offerGet 15% off all our natural French soaps in our sensational summer offer!

Looking forward to the long hot summer days ahead? Then why not grab yourself a bargain in our super summer sale?

With 15% off your order of any combination of our fabulous natural French soaps, what’s not to like?!

Just add the code SUMMER15 at checkout and 15% of the total cost of your order will be deducted – it’s as simple as that.

But hurry as this offer is for a limited time only – a bit like our summer …

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Father’s Day Gifts from the French Soap Store
May 27, 2021

Father’s Day is the time of year we celebrate the loving and caring men in our lives. A card with a special message will let him know how much you appreciate all of his advice and unconditional support. This day also gives us the opportunity to show every father how much they mean to their families.

Fathers-Day-GiftTo help you make dad feel special, we’ve listed a selection of Father’s Day quotes to celebrate their contribution to our families.

Whether it’s an uncle who’s inspired you, a granddad who always puts a smile on your face or your husband who’s been a wonderful father to your children, you’re sure to find the perfect sentiment.

For that extra special touch, pair your heart-warming card with a Father’s Day gift he will love. We have three unique gift sets containing some of the UK’s finest small-batch craft beers from The Crafty Brewing Company* in Surrey and our traditional Fathers-day-gift-20french soaps handcrafted in Marseille. This means you’ll be able to serve him delicious drinks and pamper him with his own luxury soap bars – all in one Father’s Day gift.

A Refreshing Choice gift set for £15 with two natural French market soaps and four cans of delicious craft beer.

Happy Hour gift set for £20 containing three bottles of craft beer, three aromatic soaps and our hemp soap bag.

Fathers-Day-giftCrafted to Perfection gift set for £25 – this is the big one containing four different bottles of craft beer, two French market soaps, rustic soap on a rope, and five gift soaps.

And if you need any help putting together a custom made Father’s Day gift please get in touch with Katie now on 07867 486402 or email info@frenchsoapstore.co.uk and she’ll be delighted to help.

FATHER’S DAY QUOTES

  • “Dad: A son’s first hero, a daughter’s first love.” —Unknown
  • “The power of a dad in a child’s life is unmatched.” —Justin Ricklefs
  • “It is a wise father that knows his own child.” —William Shakespeare
  • “One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters.” —George Herbert
  • “A girl’s first true love is her father.” —Marisol Santiago
  • “A father’s smile has been known to light up a child’s entire day.” —Susan Gale
  • “A father doesn’t tell you that he loves you. He shows you.” —Dimitri the Stoneheart
  • “Fathers just have a way of putting everything together.” —Erika Cosby
  • “Behind every great daughter is a truly amazing father.” —Unknown
  • “To her, the name of father was another name for love.” —Fanny Fern
  • “The older I get, the smarter my father seems to get.” —Tim Russert
  • “No music is so pleasant to my ears as that word―” —Lydia Maria Child
  • “A father carries pictures where his money used to be.” —Steve Martin
  • “When my father didn’t have my hand, he had my back.” —Linda Poindexter
  • “A father is someone you look up to no matter how tall you grow.” —Unknown
  • “The greatest mark of a father is how he treats his children when no one is looking.” —Dan Pearce
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Raise the bar this Father’s Day
May 10, 2021

Fathers-Day-GiftFather’s Day is on Sunday 20 June this year and it’s the perfect opportunity to show your papa just how much you appreciate him. But what do you give a great dad who says he doesn’t want anything? Well, most chaps we know would appreciate a few beers and some decent bars of soap.

So, we’ve put together three super gift sets containing a handpicked selection of our divine French market soaps, as well as some of the finest British craft beers from the Crafty Brewing Company. Joe is a big fan of their award-winning beers, which are made in a barn on a farm in the Surrey Hills not far from us. Loxhill Biscuit, is a favourite and winner of the best beer award at the Alton Beer Festival.

Fathers-day-gift-20Choose from these refreshingly different ‘tipple and tub’ gift options:

A Refreshing Choice gift set for £15 with two natural French market soaps and four cans of incredible craft beer to give your dad a taste of the good life.

Happy Hour gift set for £20 containing three bottles of delicious craft beer, three aromatic soaps and our hemp soap bag, to treat your dad’s taste buds and his bod.

Crafted to Perfection gift set for £25 – this is the big one containing four different bottles of craft beer, Fathers-Day-gifttwo French market soaps, rustic soap on a rope, and five gift soaps. The ultimate indulgence for your dear papa!

Whether your dad is a traditional gent, an alcohol aficionado or a well-groomed guy, you can’t go wrong with one of our great gifts this Father’s Day. So, go on, shower him with love and goodies and order your gift today. And if you need any more information or advice, please get in touch with Katie now on 07867 486402 or email info@frenchsoapstore.co.uk and she’ll be delighted to help.

 

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Natural French soap bars, perfect for that holiday getaway
April 28, 2021

frence gift soapsThe weather this April has been lovely, albeit a little on the chilly side! I’m sitting in my garden in the gorgeous spring sunshine today, with my eyes closed dreaming about being on holiday back in Avignon, France. Here we’d be sipping wine, taking in the lively atmosphere, walking into the charming shops and losing ourselves in the hidden hideaways, great for postcard writing or just to collect our thoughts. It was lovely while it lasted and has got me in the holiday mood. Are you thinking of getting away on holiday too?

Natural French soap bars, perfect for that holiday getaway

At the French Soap Store, we have the perfect size soaps for a weekend getaway! Our 30g gift soaps are ideal, with twelve different scents to choose Natural french soap barsfrom. Or if you are going away for longer, then our 125g French Market soap bars, with 32 different fragrances are perfect.

Our new 60g soap bars come in thirteen different fragrances making them the perfect travel companion for any holiday at home or abroad. Each bar is made with nourishing plant oils, organic Shea butter and fragrances from Grasse. They last for ages and are wonderfully moisturising, while the all-natural formula will keep your body and conscience clean.

Extend the life of your soap with our organic hemp soap bag

To make your natural French soap last even longer why not buy our organic hemp soap bag? This bag is 100% natural, hygienic and odourless. It is Natural Hemp-soap-bagsuitable for washing, mild skin removal, massage and stimulating blood circulation. By placing your soap in the hemp bag you prevent slipping and wastage. When finished with just hang it up to dry. This bag helps save your soap from excess wear and tear and the very last bit can be used.

We also have some more great new products coming to the store soon and we are so excited to share these with you! Call Katie now on 07867 486402 or email info@frenchsoapstore.co.uk and she will be delighted to help.

 

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Uses for Savon de Marseille French soap
March 31, 2021

Savon-de-Marseille-natural french soapAfter our last blog so many of you have been asking about Savon de Marseille French soap and its uses. So here are some top tips for getting the most from this great versatile French market soap.

Savon de Marseille soap is a firm favourite in our house, due to it being so pure and gentle, and it has natural anti-bacterial properties, which is also a bonus! We have found it lasts twice as long as ordinary soaps. It can be grated, shredded or blended to be used in different ways around the home, so is great value too.

Homemade laundry soap

To make homemade laundry soap*, grate a cup of Savon de Marseille French soap and melt this into about 3 to 4 litres of boiling water. Take it off the heat to cool slightly then add about half a cup of bicarbonate of soda, stirring well until the soap is dissolved. It should look milk-like in colour. Pour the milky liquid into an empty bottle and it’s ready to use. We recommend shaking the bottle before use. The bicarbonate of soda will act as a softening agent in the water and fight help get rid of odours. You can also add half a cup of vinegar to the mix as this will act as a fabric softener too.

Savon-de-Marseille-french-soap*Quantities are approximate and for guidance only as can be adjusted to personal preference.

For stains, you can use the Anti Stain Savon de Marseille soap (Savon Detachant) which is specifically for removing stubborn stains. Or you can use the traditional Savon de Marseille soap just by rubbing the cube when slightly damp onto the affected area. Let the garment dry and then wash it as normal. This artisan French soap can be used for most stains, and with four children this gets used a lot in my household!

Cleaning art brushes

For the artists out there Savon de Marseille Artisan French soap is great for cleaning your brushes! Add warm water to the circular indent in the soap cube and rub the brushes, et voilà, beautifully clean! It also works on make-up brushes using the same technique.

Pest control for your summer plants

artisan-french-soapI love this one! I am not very green-fingered in the garden but this tip is great to know as it can be used on all plants including edible ones such as fruit trees and grapevines as once they are rinsed the fruit is safe to eat. It has saved our lime tree many times! In a spray bottle pop in 2 tablespoons of grated Savon de Marseille Natural French soap and fill up with hot but not boiling water. Shake the bottle until you can see all the grated soap has dissolved, and you have a great safe eco-friendly anti-pest spray. The soapy liquid is best stored in a spray bottle rather than a watering can.

So our luxury French soaps, made in Marseille, Provence, can be used in a variety of ways other than washing your hands and body.

We have a wonderful range of natural French soaps that can be for everyday use and we also have a wide variety of gift boxes for any occasion. Why not take a look and get 15% off your first order!

If you can’t find what you are looking for or you want a personalised selection of French soaps made up from our French soap range then please call Katie on 07867 486402 or email info@frenchsoapstore.co.uk, she will be delighted to help.

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The History of Savon de Marseille
March 18, 2021

Savon-de-MarseilleSavon de Marseille, also known as Marseille soap, has been around for over 600 years and is a staple in many households. It is known as the world’s best soap and contains many incredible cleaning capabilities while using all-natural ingredients.

First produced in Marseille, France, this solid soap is made entirely from natural ingredients using vegetable oils as the primary substance. It is documented to have been first made in 1370 by soap maker Crescas Davin. In 1593, Georges Prunemoyr opened the first soap factory producing Savon de Marseille when the soap demand was growing. By the 17th century, seven factories produced around 20,000 tonnes of soap every year.

The element that made this unique to the region was the Mediterranean seawater, as the salt content helped proceed the correct consistency for the soap bar.

A variety of oils were used in the production of Savon de Marseille soap

As Marseille is a large port town in France, many oils and fats were traded, which influenced the soap’s critical ingredients. It was no longer just the locally produced olive oil, but oils such as sesame, peanut, and copra became popular ingredients. Soda ash was used as a binder and sometimes sea salt too.

Savon de Marseille Olive 300gKing Louis XIV valued this ancient soap so much that in the late 17th century, he introduced regulations in the Edict of Colbert, stating that any soaps named Savon de Marseille must only use olive oil and had to be made in the region of Marseille. This made a name for the soap and has given the soap its prestigious reputation across the globe. However, in more recent years, the ruling for production has changed, and other vegetable oils are allowed to be used in production. The soap has still kept to its name; however, allowing the introduction of other oils allows for more experimentation and varied products.

By the early 1900s, around 132 soap makers produced Savon de Marseille in France. François Merklen is known for creating the formula that makes the soap we know today. His recipe was 63% copra oil or a substitute, 9% soda ash or sea salt, and 28% water. This recipe became the basis of forming the Savon de Marseille soap that is world-famous today.

Sadly after World War II, production didn’t pick up, as more synthetic detergents and household soaps were being manufactured for a lower price. As a result of the decline in demand, as of 2000, there are only five soap producers left in Marseille.

Environmentally friendly

Although there are fewer producers of Savon de Marseille, the global demand still exists. With more understanding of the environment, we have become aware of our waters’ pollution. As a result, natural soaps like Savon de Marseille are becoming increasingly popular as an environmentally friendly option.

The French Soap Store has a variety of Savon de Marseille soaps, all are handmade with a minimum of 72% olive or vegetable oil, this iconic natural block of soap can be used to clean everything from stone floors to sensitive faces. Shop now>.

Written by Becca Marsh

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Shower her with affection this Mother’s Day
February 27, 2021

I-love-you-lotsMother’s Day is on March 14th, so, now’s the time to order the perfect Mother’s Day gift and surprise your maman with a pampering treat.

A tired bunch of flowers just won’t wash this Mother’s Day. Beautiful handcrafted French soaps will last far longer than a bouquet or box of sweets.

We’ve put together four lovely gift boxes containing some of our favourite French market soaps. Lovingly made by artisans in Provence from natural ingredients, each soap bar lasts for ages and is wonderfully moisturising. They’re triple-milled for extra luxury and purity too. Whenever Pretty-Sensationalyour mother uses one she’ll be transported to the scent-filled Provencal countryside and reminded of your caring gift too.

So which French soap gift would your mother love to receive?

Pretty Scentsational is like a paradise holiday in a box. It brings together the lavender fields of Provence with the tropical flowers of Tahiti with soft scents to surround your mother with delight. Enriched with essential oils the soaps will leave her skin petal-soft too.

Timeless-LoveOr how about Loving Wishes & Washes, our fruity French soap selection? This glorious gift box contains tangy natural French soaps like raspberry, watermelon and blackberry. All with mouth-watering scents and nourishing ingredients.

Or perhaps your mum appreciates the simple pleasures of life? Then she’ll love the purity of a traditional handcrafted slice of Savon Grand Mere. With a rope to hang the soap, it has a uniquely rustic style and comes exclusively from one of the last old-fashioned Marseille soap-makers.

loving wishes and washesMother’s Day is just around the corner. So order your gift box of natural and luxurious handcrafted French soaps today and show your mum how much you care for her.

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