Garden centres can now order France’s most famous soap from its exclusive new UK distributor.

Marius Fabre’s Marseille soap is as emblematic of the country's southern Provence region as lavender fields and cicadas, and the all-natural and sustainable olive oil-based products are suitable for a host of daily uses in the home and garden.

Palm oil-free, the 100% vegetable-based natural and biodegradable products are environmentally friendly, and the packaging is entirely recyclable.  Some of the range is also Ecocert certified and organic.

With seven ranges that include everything from an organic pesticide to five-litre tubs of the highly versatile black soap, Marius Fabre makes traditional Marseille soap products that can be used on the body, as well as being a highly effective cleaning product for laundry and all around the home and in the garden. The traditional Marseille soap manufacturing process is a guarantee of "extra pure" soap, which is entirely free of impurities. The soap contains no colourings, no synthetic additives, no petroleum-based products and no animal fats.

Based in Salon de Provence, the Fabre family, who have been making traditional Marseille soap since 1900, have signed an exclusive deal with distributor, Studio Pens, which will see the Harrogate based father and daughter run company supplying the comprehensive product range to retailers throughout the UK.

Nikki Devine, from Studio Pens, said: “We are the exclusive UK distributor for well-loved German pen brand Kaweco, as well Esterbrook pens and German pen components business Schmidt Technology. Although Marius Fabre represents something of a departure from the pen world, its products complement Kaweco well. The two brands share an overlapping target retailer market and we have immediately received several orders from our existing garden centre clients.

“Marius Fabre’s range for garden centres includes traditional Marseille soap, scented soaps, liquid soaps, soap flakes, a beautiful range of accessories and black soap, which is a miracle product that cleans anything, including your own body, clothes, dogs, BBQs, cars and even the kitchen floor! The liquid Savon Noir spray for the garden is a black potassium olive oil soap made to a unique recipe that is a natural ally for your plants. The ready-to-use diluted black soap helps clean up sooty mould left by greenfly and gets rid of scale insects on rosebushes, ornamental plants, fruit trees and in vegetable gardens as well as preventing further infestation. Without additives, fragrance, or phosphates, it easily biodegrades and is an economical, greener alternative, suitable for use in organic farming in accordance with European Council regulation n°834/2007.”

Marius Fabre soap uses the traditional Marseille soap-making process. It is still cooked in cauldrons and left to dry in the north wind, the Mistral. It takes 14 days to make, using only vegetable oils, including precious olive oil. Even today the Marius Fabre soap factory still makes soap to the rules set by Louis XIV, the Sun King.

Nikki added: “We are delighted to delve in to the world of authentic Marseille soap with such an esteemed brand as Marius Fabre and are very much looking forward to growing this side of the business. We now have the beautiful range of Marius Fabre products in stock, with no minimum order requirement and free shipping, which we know will appeal to garden centres looking for a highly sought-after and quality product.”

The extensive product offering for garden centres includes the Lavoir range of soaps, dishwashing liquids, soap flakes and liquids for laundry, home cleaning sprays, natural pesticide garden sprays, baking soda and white wine vinegar sprays.

The 1900 range has vegetable soaps and liquid soaps with no colourants, as well shampoos and shower gels.

The Jardin range includes giftsets of soap bars and liquid soaps and miniature soaps.

The Alep range also has bay laurel oil added to its products and includes bars of soap and liquid soap.

The Atelier de Marius range includes soap paste and cream for damaged hands.

The Collector range includes special edition gift sets, tins, glass bottle soap dispensers and travel kits.

There is also an accessories range with magnetic soap holders, glass bottles and pumps, as well as ceramic soap dishes and a selection of books.

See the full range online: https://www.studiopens.com/marius-fabre-marseille-soap or contact Nikki via email info@studiopens.com or call 01423 815700 for a catalogue.