The Magic of Candles

As early as 5,000 BC, the Egyptians and Mesopotamians used candles made from animal fats and vegetable waxes to light homes and temples. The candle takes its name from the Algerian city of Béjaïa or Bugaya (known as Bougie during the colonial period), renowned for the quality of its beeswax. Today, the Nantes region produces 80% of French candles, primarily using paraffin, which has been extracted from petroleum since the mid-19th century.