![A worker makes traditional soap in France. [Photos: Courtesy of AFS]](U371P886T1D9256F12DT20120229135642.jpeg "A worker makes traditional soap in France. [Photos: Courtesy of AFS]")
A worker makes traditional soap in France. [Photos: Courtesy of AFS]
Pleasant smells
He added that at that time, the French soap was green-colored with a pleasant smell, and was always sold in 5 kg bars or 20 kg blocks.
"Since the 18th century, Marseille soap manufacturing benefited from advances in mechanization and, unlike French wines which can only be named after the place where it is produced, Marseille soap can be produced in other regions and still keep the name 'Savon de Marseille,' as long as it is made in the same way," he said. "And since the 19th century, Marseille soap has been produced in large quantities in other countries and then exported back to France."
Another famous French soap that Saldinger mentioned in his talk is the luxury soap made from donkey milk. This tradition began in Normandy and its surrounding regions in France. Donkey mile is also used in face creams and bath foams.
Cleopatra and the empresses of ancient Rome were always accompanied by a group of donkeys in order that they could bathe in donkey milk on a regular basis.
"Because the output of donkey milk is limited in France, soap made from donkey milk amounts to no more than 20,000 bars a year," Saldinger said.
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