The Bizarre Spinning Soap You Might Encounter In Public Bathrooms In France
France is known for its rich culture, exquisite cuisine (including the best butter in the world), and world-famous art. However, if you've ever traveled through this bucket-list country, you may have encountered something rather unexpected in its public bathrooms: a peculiar, rotating bar of soap mounted on a metal rod. For those unfamiliar, this bizarre contraption might seem like a relic from a bygone era or a quirky feature of French public hygiene. Naughty? Sinister? Delightful? One thing is for sure: It's controversial. Yet, this spinning soap has a long history and serves a surprisingly practical purpose.
@hannahwitton Whyyyyy is this the soap in this restaurant's bathroom in france?! 😅😅😅
The spinning soap, known in French as "le savon rotatif," first made a head-spinning appearance in public bathrooms in France during the mid-20th century. It was invented and patented by the French company Provendi in the year 1950. The soap was introduced as a more economical and hygienic soap solution for public spaces, particularly schools, public buildings, and France's state-run railways (by the way, think twice before throwing away your train ticket in Paris).
Unlike individual bars of soap — which can be easily stolen from the dish and deteriorate quickly when sitting in water — the spinning soap is theft-proof (it's literally bolted to the wall, duh!) and long-lasting. The design is ingenious. Mounted on a metal rod attached to the wall (which comes in chrome, brushed steel, or brass), the soap rotates when pushed or pulled and allows users to lather their hands without the need to pick up the bar.
Le savon rotatif: an example of French ingenuity
The original Provendi soap is made in France using a traditional, sulfate-free recipe. It comes in various flavors, such as apple-lemon, sweet almond, cedar, lavender, and verbena. Savon de Marseille is another popular French producer of the soap. For many non-French visitors, encountering this old-school spinning soap can be a "you won't believe this thing I just saw in the bathroom" kind of surprise. After all, automated liquid soap dispensers and touch-free hand sanitizers are the status quo in bathrooms worldwide today, and the — now increasingly rare — sight of a "fondle me" French bar of soap mounted on a rod would seem antiquated. But let's try to be mature, please!
"Le savon rotatif" is far from extinct. It can still be found in some public spaces, especially in smaller towns or older establishments where tradition holds strong. Some might find using this soap less convenient compared to more modern options, but others might appreciate the charm and novelty of this French invention during their travels. Besides, the French know their soap, so don't knock it 'til you try it — and it'll certainly help you experience Paris like a local. If you feel nostalgic after your trip, you can buy this French soap in the U.S. from Amazon. According to the CDC, the global handwashing rate post-toilet is a measly and germy 19%. Maybe the "savon rotatif" can change people's handwashing habits worldwide — one well-lathered spin at a time.