The first thing noticeable with this small store is the aroma. Located in a nice shopping area in…read moreMarseille, the shop has a lot of items to choose from, but local soaps and lavender were among the features. The soap is made with 72% olive oil, which dermatologists recommend for healthy skin. The store owner was very friendly and helped provide guidance on the products. From the conversations with the people coming in, it appeared several people were repeat customers and not just tourists looking for local items from Provence. If you are looking for local products to bring back to family and friends, I would recommend the large bars on the back wall. Good size and good price.

A shout out to the lovely employee Syrine, who made our day with her helpful hints and explanations…read moreof the wide variety of items this small shop had to offer. From tourist goodies of snow globes, statutes of the guardian saint of the city to all sorts of nautical items (Marseille being a port after all!) and quite a collection of household goods and soaps and lotions. Marseille is the capital to the French province of Provence, famous for its natural beauty and rolling hills of lavender and thyme (north of the city). Hence there are many soaps, lotions, perfumes and such that smell of the divine relaxing fragrance of lavender but other delicious scents also abound; jasmine, gladiola and rose to name a few. I settled for some beautiful post cards as personal mementos while my companion loaded up on some unique 100% locally made linens for his dining room table. They were quite simple (less is more) and very beautiful. Just outside the shop in the late afternoon is a makeshift open air market with at least 10-20 vendors peddling wares that you may not need, but will find it difficult not to want!

As you walk up to a second floor studio, you are welcomed by artisan M. Girault. His aray of…read moresantons span from floor to ceiling...all different sizes! We opted to buy the traditional American style nativity, the miniature version (easier to bring back home). Of course, getting the 3 kings, Jesus, Mary, Joseph, a couple donkeys, and the stable. It's southern France's tradition to invite the whole village to the nativity. He sells everyone from the Boulanger to a Bohemienne. There are even animals that attend the nativity scene: Pigeonnier and even a Lapin! M. Girault talked us through his studio explaining how he makes these delicate creations. You can catch him in the act of sculpting or painting when you arrive. On our next adventure to this magnificent studio, we will be getting some of the villagers to add to our collection. His santons were one of the best souvenirs we've purchased while traveling.

A good address to offer nice presents, memories(souvenirs) of Provence without ruining itself:…read moreMemories(Souvenirs), cicadas, presents, decorations, scents, beauty, linen, local products, tourist and funny T-shirts, articles of the OM and the other original products such as funny street plates, door plates, musical cuddly toys(fluffs) and the other gadgets. Discover authentic Provence with its smells, its flavours, the singing(song) of our cicadas, the Provençal linen, its range of craft(home-made) products. The decoration for your house, the useful and the pleasant, without forgetting our ceramic and potteries of the South. To give you an idea, here is the address of the web site: http://www.souvenirsprovencaux.com On-line sale

I stayed here for a month and heard the sound of cigales non-stop. After learning about them, I…read morejust had to bring home a souvenir of one and this place had exactly what I was looking for. The owner just happened to drive up on his moped or scooter and we spoke to him a bit. Very nice place and their prices are very reasonable!! If you're looking for south of France souvenirs, then definitely come here! We parked across the way in the parking lot. Its on a busy corner but they have some cigales hanging outside.

From reading the reviews of others, it seems like my story isn't all that different--I was…read moreexploring the old part of Marseille and just happened upon this store while walking up an outdoor staircase and I'm so glad that I did. I'm not into soaps or cosmetics, but I was absolutely captivated by this place. It's completely unpretentious but the peddle high quality wares. I was taken aback by the amount of product the had--there's soap there for everyone!

I stumbled across this quaint soap shop while wondering around Marseille and picked up a couple…read moresouvenirs to purchase. The shop owner suggested I also buy this other soap that looked like a rock. Basically, it is an exfoliating soap that is probably the best thing I have ever used on my body ever! I only bought 2 bars and now I am regretting not buying 100 of them! Other than this special bar of soap, this store is a hidden gem and you should try to find it if you are there!!