Martin de Candre

Martin de Candre

The story

It all started in the 1970s when Dominique and Rosine Dauge, farmers who settled on their family plot at the entrance to the village of Fontevraud L'Abbaye, were at the time looking for an additional business in a sector other than agriculture. They thus met André Chapuis, a chemist specialising in the manufacture of soap from the Cher region.

To become an expert in the field of soap making and to continue the unique project of expertise in this soap, Rosine needed years of applied practice, patience ,ingenuity and strength. Today it is her daughter, Hélène, who is in charge of the company.

To accurately preserve this unique know-how of soap production, they both shaped this small family business and gave it a modern future. The business has grown and flourished, incorporating the demands of the cosmetics industry in order to continually propose high quality products derived from 100% plant origin.

Everything is chemistry, starting from our body.

Martin de Candre's success and popularity can be attributed to several factors, including:

1. The use of high-quality natural ingredients: Martin de Candre uses only the finest natural ingredients, such as vegetable oils, essential oils, and beeswax, in their products. These ingredients are carefully selected for their beneficial properties and are free from synthetic additives or harsh chemicals.
2. Traditional soap-making methods: Martin de Candre uses traditional soap-making methods that have been perfected over centuries. The soap is boiled in copper cauldrons and allowed to age and dry for several months, resulting in a dense, long-lasting soap with a luxurious lather.
3. Attention to detail: Martin de Candre is a small, family-owned business, and every product is made by hand with great care and attention to detail. Martine de Candre, the founder of the company, is still involved in every aspect of the production process, ensuring that each product meets her exacting standards.
4. Commitment to sustainability: Martin de Candre is committed to using eco-friendly packaging and sourcing ingredients locally whenever possible. This commitment to sustainability resonates with consumers who value environmentally responsible products.

Overall, Martin de Candre's success can be attributed to their commitment to using natural ingredients and traditional methods, attention to detail, and dedication to sustainability.

The advantages 

100% local production 

Everything is made locally in the production laboratory by a team of 10 people who ensure the quality process is carried out correctly. Two routine productions are organised in the morning, every week throughout the year, to ensure the production and turnover of the wooden boxes in which the soaps are dried for months until they are ready.

Sustainable products

All raw plant products (oils for saponification, essential oils, waxes and resins for fragrances or additives) come from cultivation with respect for the environment and people. It is certified that no additives, no parabens and preservatives, no synthetic fixatives are used. The palm oil used is certified by RSPO. 

International reputation 

Today, Martin de Candre products have widely crossed regional, national and international borders! They are very sophisticated and every day parcels are sent to all four corners of the world.

A rare and exceptional know-how

The Martin de Candre soap factory is renowned for its expertise in traditional soap making. A rare and exceptional know-how - specialised in the production of Marseille soaps since 1974. Today it is part of a few rare French soap factories that do their own saponification. In November 2000, the soap factory received the LOIRE VALLEY WORLD HERITAGE (UNESCO) label, a remarkable recognition and guarantee of quality.

The know-how 

Traditional

Handmade - That's the best description when talking about the Martin de Candre soap factory!

Everything is "traditional" and "handmade", from the weighing of the vegetable oils to the packaging. It preserves a know-how that has almost disappeared nowadays in France.

You hold in your hands a product of exceptional and incomparable quality!

Olive oil

Refined by a saponification process that began in Marseille, all Martin de Candre soaps contain olive oil.

Rich in fatty acids (up to 70%), olive oil gives the soap an unparalleled softness! The skin, after washing and rinsing, retains its softness and remains very soft.

It is the ideal toilet soap for use from a younger age and forever!

In addition to the exceptional fragrance called "Marseille Toilette", the five different fragrances in this range are creations of the soap factory. The mixing of essential oils with natural resin and wax to preserve them makes the original colours respected and this explains, for example, why rose soap is not pink and why lavender soap is not purple.

Palm oil 

Refined by a process that started in Marseille, these olive oil-based soaps contain a small amount of palm oil that makes them more stable and very economical.

Progressively introduced into soap production since the time when France had colonies in Africa, palm oil, rich in fatty acids, solidifies the soap paste and thus allows the addition of other ingredients that will later have the unfortunate difficulty of softening the paste!

Honey, milk, egg, Tolu and Benzoin balms treat your skin since they have additional properties and improve its elasticity and freshness!

Shaving soap

Shaving soap (MdC )has become the best known factory soap for some years now.

Shaving is easy and comfortable and the soap leaves a thin layer on the skin with a pleasant fragrance.

Very economical; if you follow Martin de Candre's advice, 200g will last more than a year!

Although Martin De Candre shaving soaps are a huge success, this is not due to a huge range of products as they only have 3 shaving soaps of the same base, each with a different fragrance:

1.Martin De Candre Shaving Soap Original 200gr

2. Martin De Candre Shaving Soap Nature 200gr.

3. Martin De Candre Shaving Soap Fougere 200gr.

Liquid soap 

With or without fragrance, the liquid soap is made with vegetable oils, olive and coconut. It gently soothes, rinses and removes grease. 

Very practical in the transparent PET bottle with dispensing pump. It is suitable for showering and frequent hand washing.

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