Since 1892, the Droguerie Taverne has proudly stood at 14 rue Saint-Antoine in Toulouse like a grandmother who has seen it all without ever judging. This quaint shop, nestled in the heart of Toulouse, has weathered the seasons, accompanied families, and witnessed wars and household revolutions. It’s a true madeleine de Proust for those who adore the scents of Marseille soap as much as family tales.
An evolution led by women
Before becoming a drugstore, Taverne was a paint company, founded by an artistic great-grandfather, a master of trompe-l’œil and bulk pigments. But it was the great-grandmother, clever and visionary, who sensed the potential of a shop dedicated to everyday maintenance. While her husband painted signs, she ran the counter, developed the clientele, and laid the foundations of a business where women could finally find what they needed.
products in small quantities to pamper their interior.
Dancers, musicians, singers: the Taverne family has artistic flair in their veins, but their true gift is connecting with people. Béatrice, the current guardian of the temple, asserts: “What they can’t find anywhere else, they come to seek here.” And beyond the products—wax, essential oils, black soap, all sorts of utensils—what customers are really looking for is a vibe, a warm welcome, a childhood memory filled with the scent of lavender and old shop windows.
A Living Place for Over 130 Years
At the Droguerie Taverne, you can buy a soap and stick around just for the joy of chatting. Chairs have been there for that since the great-grandfather's time. Customers sit down, talk, and reminisce. Some came as children with their grandmothers and continue to drop by as adults.
adults, for the smell, the warm welcome, and the famous secret room filled with ancient bottles and century-old brushes. A small living museum where the "wall of ancestors" tells, through photos, a century and a half of loyalty.
In the meantime, the shop continues to evolve while keeping its soul. The 5th generation is already on the horizon: Sébastien, the son, has worked for five years in the shop and started the Facebook page and Instagram account. Béatrice, whom her clients call “the Good Fairy,” has one certainty: the Droguerie Taverne will keep on thriving, cherished by the love of the people of Toulouse. And if Claude Nougaro, the Chevaliers du Fiel, or Michel Sarran have already visited, it's because this place truly has something magical about it.
Address: 14 Saint-Antoine du T Street, 31000 Toulouse, France
