Chic des Savons, a small artisanal soap factory, is hidden in a historic Parisian courtyard sculpture workshop near Montparnasse. Cédric and Monica, the founders, thrived to manufacture soaps and balms solely with freshly cold-pressed oils from seeds, pits, and pips, as well as plants grown and gathered in France. While their backgrounds are radically different from what they do now, Monica and Cédric have obviously discovered their calling. Their purpose was to appreciate the richness of the French soil while celebrating French culture through Chic des Savons.

L’escale's unexpected fortunate discovery

Chic des Savons has been our favourite at-home acquisition this year. While there are many soap brands, few stand out as much as they do. We absolutely recognised how Chic des Savons deserves all of the attention in the world after seeing the founders in person and seeing all of the hard work behind every single facet of the brand.

In every step of the process, the small label handles things differently and with such delicacy. The amount of labour and attention to detail, from producing the soap to packaging, is quite astounding.

The atelier is a true reflection of the brand, from the amazing smell when you walk into the furniture designed in their iconic soap shape. The founders have clearly paid close attention to every detail, which is how they were able to develop such a high-end brand in the first place. This idea required months of rigorous planning to become what it is today: one of the most distinctive soap brands L'escale has ever encountered.

Soaps and Balms

Soaps and balms give one a holistic sensory experience. Applying them to your skin or beard gives healing energy as your skin repairs. They make your skin feel amazing. Chic des Savons gives you just the same sensation.

The brand opted to focus on two primary products: les savons (the soaps) and les baumes (the balms), both of which have two different procedures.

All of their products are handcrafted in their magnificent atelier in Paris. Each formula is the result of their own ingenuity and desire to produce something beautiful, one-of-a-kind, and, of course, nourishing for our skin. Their richness stems from their raw and natural ingredients, which are collected from various parts of France. Their honey and beeswax come from hives in Montmartre and other parts of Paris; their apple seed oil comes from orchards in the Oise region; and that's not all. Each component has been handpicked, tested, and, of course, comes from a sustainable manufacturer with incredible craftsmanship.

They avail themselves of oils like nourishing and rejuvenating Gascony Squash Seed Oil, balanced and hydrating Gascony Toasted Hazelnut Oil, toning and regenerating Borage Seed Oil from Berry, emollient and antioxidant Olive Stone Oil from Provence, and smoothing and repairing Paris Beeswax. All of these are organic, free of synthetic chemicals, which ends up giving you a really nice sensation.