Installation of a candle factory 1850 (≈ 1850)
Initial site before conversion to soap factory.
1856
Soap factory foundation
Soap factory foundation 1856 (≈ 1856)
Processing into soap production.
8 janvier 2019
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 8 janvier 2019 (≈ 2019)
Protection of old buildings and equipment.
2021
Partner of the France team
Partner of the France team 2021 (≈ 2021)
Creative support for the Euro football.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The following parts of the horse iron soap factory: all the facades and roofs of the soap factory; the entire boiler room building with all its old devices kept on three levels; the room in the basement, to the north, with its seven riveted sheet metal vats, located 13 boulevard de la Bougie and 70 chemin de Sainte-Marthe, as delimited in red on the plans annexed to the order (cad. 894 E 98): inscription by order of 8 January 2019
Key figures
Information non disponible - No characters cited in the sources
The source texts do not mention any names.
Origin and history
The Fer-à-Cheval soap factory, located at 66 chemin de Sainte-Marthe in the 14th arrondissement of Marseille, was founded in 1856. Originally, in 1850, the site housed a candle factory before specializing in soap production. This industrial monument, still in operation, perpetuates artisanal know-how based on olive oil, without dyes or preservatives. Its products, available in solid soaps, liquids, creams and cosmetics, embody a recognized Marseille tradition.
In 2019, the soap factory is listed as a Historic Monument for its remarkable heritage elements: facades, roofs of the production workshop, the boilerhouse building with its old devices on three levels, and an underground room housing seven tanks of riveted sheet metal. These facilities, dated from the 19th century, bear witness to the industrial techniques of the period and the evolution of soap factory, initially established in the middle of the Marseille countryside.
As a symbol of the local industrial heritage, the soap factory was honoured in 2021 by becoming an official partner of the French football team for the Euro, highlighting its anchoring in regional culture and economy. Its exact address, 13 boulevard de la Bougie and 70 chemin de Sainte-Marthe, reflects its history of candle making before it was converted into a soap factory. Today, it combines traditional production and innovation, while opening its doors to the public for visits.
