Made in Marseille: EPV artisans & craftsmen

Prompted by an article I read recently, my research about Marseille got me thinking that it is an underrated destination.

The article was about a long-standing rivalry between the two very different cities: Aix-en-Provence and Marseille. Having never been to either place, I wanted to learn more. I already knew a little about Aix-en-Provence, so I decided to start exploring and finding out what I could about Marseille and what I’ve uncovered I found to be particularly interesting.

According to the Marseille Tourist Office:

Marseille, the Capital of Provence, and a must-do city trip in Europe, was (already a decade ago!) the 2013 European Capital of Culture, a designation that gave it a second wind that is still noticeable today. In 10 years, Marseille has maintained that capital year’s legacy and has been able to develop and adapt to the current challenges of tourism while upholding testimonies of its 2,600 years of history, which still and always give it its status as the oldest city in France.”

Deep cultural history worth exploring

Marseille is a multicultural city with a very long cultural history which it wears with pride.

For anyone who has been to Marseille, its rich cultural history is noticeable. Founded in 600 BC as the Greek colony of Massalia, the city was occupied by many people including the Phocaea, Romans, Visigoths up to today’s immigrants from French colonies in Africa.

What is  EPV? A living heritage company

Not only does the city have a diverse cultural history, but it also has a deep history of master craftsmen and artisans. Marseille is home to fourteen French companies that received the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV) (Living Heritage Company).

The EPV, created in 2005, is a label the French government created to acknowledge excellence and skills in a wide range of fields.

To be considered for the label, a company or person must have a history of making their product in France, have rare know-how or use traditional or highly technical methods, and be viewed as an expert in their industry. The EPV label is good for five years, at which time companies can apply to be reviewed for renewal. It is an honor to have the EPV label and many companies show it on their websites.

Finding the EPV-awarded companies

Let’s look at some of these special companies and see why they’re proud to say, “Made in Marseille”.

These 14 EPV enterprises fall into eight categories:

1. Soap Makers
2. Santonniers
3. Violin maker
4. Engraving, Printing, and Stamp Making
5. Boating/Sport
6. Building/Design
7. Pharmacy
8. Candy

1. Soap Makers

I have been using Marseille soap for the last few years, so I was excited to see two soap makers on the EPV list.

– Savonnerie du Sérail

Savonnerie du Sérail opened in 1949, and continues using traditional methods to make its shampoos, liquid hand soap, and Marseille soap. The company offers guided tours of the workshop.

 – Savonnerie du Midi

Savonnerie du Midi, opened in 1894, made three brands of soap: Aubépine, Aigle Blanc, and La Corvette for over ninety years until the late 1980s when it stopped making Aubépine and Aigle Blanc. Today, the company still uses master soap makers, using traditional methods, to make their La Corvette brand of soap – almost 130 years of one soap!

In 2018, the company opened the Marseille Soap Museum. The museum has guided tours covering the history of the company, as well as the history of Marseille soap. It also includes the largest private collection of Marseille soap.

2. Santonniers

A santon is a small hand-painted figurine made in the Provence region and used in nativity scenes. People who make santons are called santonniers. The Provence region, particularly Marseille, is thought to be the birthplace of santons. I had never heard the term “santon” but learned that it comes from the Provençal word “santoun”, meaning “little saint”.

– Atelier Arterra

The Arterra workshop opened in 1996 in the oldest neighborhood in Marseille, Le Panier. Ten people hand-make clay santons for sale all over the world.

– Marcel Carbonel Ateliers

Marcel Carbonel Ateliers started in 1935, has over 700 hundred different models of santons – making it the largest collection in the Provence region. In 2000, the French embassy in Italy nominated the company to represent France in a Holy See competition of the 100 most beautiful nativity scenes in the world – earning the atelier a silver medal. The company has tours of its workshop in the Saint Victor neighborhood from the end of January to the beginning of October.

Other Artisans

3. Violin making

Hommel Luthier, opened in 1877, is the oldest violin maker in Marseille and one of the oldest in France. The company changed owners three times before the current owner, Charles-Luc Hommel, bought it in 1981. Today, Hommel Luthier makes, restores, repairs, and sells violins, violas, cells, double bases, and their bows.

4. Engraving, Printing, and Stamp Making

Maison Trabuc, opened in 1896, still makes its rubber stamps in the traditional method based on vulcanized rubber. While the company started as a rubber stamp maker, it now offers engraving, offset, and digital printing services.

5. Boating/Sport

Voilerie Phoceenne, located by the old port, opened in 1972 and is well-known throughout the area. The company hand makes boat sails, as well as making and installing riggings and fittings.

The Borg Shipyard, started in 1956, makes custom wooden boats and furniture for them. In addition, the company also repairs and restores wooden boats and installs fittings.

La Boule Bleue (The Blue Ball), founded in 1904, makes pétanque balls and accessories. The company started making these game balls before the first official pétanque competition in 1910. Up until 1947, the balls were made of brass and bronze then the company switched to making them with carbon steel. During the manufacturing process, the carbon steel produced a blue color, leading to the new company name of La Boule Bleue. In 2015, the company opened The Blue Ball Museum.

It seemed to me that pétanque is like the Italian bocce ball. However, while researching both, I learned one must never say they are the same in front of fans of either sport.

6. Building/Design

Campagnons de Castellane, opened in 1997, specializes in restoring historical monuments and old buildings throughout the region. Roughly forty craftsmen use traditional masonry, stone cutting, and tile roofing methods to do the work. Some of the work the company has done in Marseille includes the Reformed Church and Château La Buzine, while other areas include the Roquefavour Aqueduct in Aix and Castle St. Antonin in Saint-Antonin-Du-Var.

Vivian & CIE, opened in 1830, specializes in historical building and privately owned building restoration using traditional masonry and stone cutting methods. Some of the company’s work in Marseille includes Le Corbusier and the Church of St. Laurent, while other areas include the Monteran Castle in Uzès and the Castries Aqueduct in Castries.

7. Pharmacy

Herboristerie du Père Blaize (Father Blaize Pharmacy), opened in 1815 by Toussaint Blaize, started as an herbalist shop but is now a modern pharmacy that includes herbal and aromatherapy remedies. The company is still owned and run by the Blaize family. You can visit the shop on Rue Mèolan or fill out an online form to request a consultation.

I think this pharmacy was my favorite company on the EPV awards list. Not only is it still open after 200 years, but it is still owned and run by the founder’s family. That’s amazing!

8. Candy

Dragées Reynaud, opened in 1956, uses traditional methods to make its dragées and chocolate candies, including decorative silver and colored chocolate pearls.

Keeping the past alive in today’s world

As a huge fan of tradition, it’s always disturbing for me to see it slipping away. Traditions connect us to our past, and awards like the EPV, and stories like this help keep the past alive. I applaud the craftsmen and artisans in Marseilles on this list and see why they take such pride in their work.

We too can help keep these traditions continue, by supporting artisans and craftsmen. If you’re ever in Marseille, stop in at Dragées Reynaud for some candy, or get a consultation at Father Blaize’s Pharmacy. Or take a tour of one of the companies. If you can’t get to Marseille, look around your area to find fine craftsmen and artisans.

Have you ever been to any of these companies? Let me know in the comments.

Image credits:
All images were taken from these EPV companies’ websites, their Facebook, and/or Instagram pages.

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