Salon De Provence, Soap Capital Since 1873

1500-1600 – Salon de Provence, trading town

Trade has always been practiced in Salon, located at the crossroads of major roads. The vine is abundant and the olive oil industry flourishing. When Adam de Craponne established his canal, the peasants planted a large part of the land with olive trees. The predominant agriculture is the cultivation of olive trees and the breeding of sheep. Artisanal and industrial activities are tanneries and spinning mills.

1600-1800 – Salon de Provence, industrial city

• 1603: A disastrous winter kills the olive trees.
• In 1709, Salon had 4567 inhabitants.
• 1748: The silk factory is very important; the Salonaise spinners were appointed as instructors at the Royal Manufacture in Versailles.
• 1785: The industry is reduced to the manufacture of candles, coarse sheets, leather, hats.

1800-1900 – Salon de Provence, city of oil and soap

• In 1801, there remained 1,500 feet of olive trees out of 700,000 feet counted in the past. Eight soap factories import soda from Arles and Marseille.
• In 1813, fifteen carts were intended for import and export between Salon and Lyon and even Paris. The appearance of the railway in 1873 allowed the oil industry to develop, leading to that of soap and the trade in green coffee.
• 1885: The Rampals, soap makers, work at the Marius Gounelle factory in Salon.

1900-1914 – The Golden Age of Salon de Provence

At the Universal Exhibition in 1900, Salon was awarded for its extremely flourishing trade in oils, soaps and coffees, and became the first soap center after Marseille.

• 1907: Creation of the Rampal soap factory. The very wealthy oil merchants have beautiful mansions built. We celebrate.
• 1909: A terrible earthquake destroys several soap factories.
• 1910: The packaging industry prospers: barrels, barrels, carboys and boxes.