Little Gem France No. 001 | Artist House 1880s

A gallery, an artist house from the 1880s located in the south of Marseille

In 2019, Southway Studio and Emmanuelle Luciani presents the exhibition Les Chemins du Sud at the MRAC in Sérignan. This wide-ranging show presents a turning point for the studio and the curator, theorising the contribution of a fantasised and metaphorical South in artistic production since the nineteenth century, and the revival of an attraction to the crafts, traditional techniques, and the domestic in contemporary creation.

The Pavillon Southway, situated in a house dating from the 1880s in the south of Marseille, not far from the Calanques, embodies the continuity of the exposition Chemins du Sud from its opening in 2020, presenting itself not only as Southway Studio's designated location but also and above all as a comprehensive domestic project.

A great deal of attention is paid to the historical and social context of the house, which is decorated and inhabited with works by artists from the studio, reinventing an aesthetic that is both neo-classical and southern, while appreciating the elegant, Mediterranean character of the building. Named after the house built and furnished by William Morris, an Arts & Crafts theorist, and a Southway Studio's reference, the Red House in Marseille is constantly evolving, and changing with research and production.

The wide range of techniques and media used by the artists collaborating with or represented by the studio can be seen here, from fresco and stucco to ceramics, oil painting, and video installations.

The Bedrooms

Southway Studio offers two beautifully considered rooms for those who want to experience this unusual maison-œuvre from the inside. Each has been furnished and decorated by artists, with the artworks and architectural details woven naturally into everyday life.

The Fresco Room, 28m², takes its cues from Mediterranean antiquity, with ornamental details and a quiet, warm palette. It has a queen-size bed and a private bathroom, and is available from €180 per night.

The smaller Gothic Room, 16m², looks east towards the hills of Marseille and is filled with artworks and details inspired by the medieval era. It has a large double bed and its own private bathroom, and is available from €140 per night.

Guests also have access to the rest of the pavilion, which continues in the same spirit: a kitchen, two sitting rooms, an exhibition space and a shaded courtyard. It feels less like staying in a conventional guesthouse and more like stepping into a living work of art, where the boundaries between home, studio and exhibition space are deliberately blurred.

For those who want to go deeper into Marseille and its cultural life, tailor-made stays can also include guided visits to some of the city's most important places, accompanied by art historians who are available throughout the day to share their knowledge of the city's art, architecture and history.

Price Indication 

Rooms rates start from €140, depending on the room, season and dates.

The apartment is priced separately according to availability.

Prices are indicative and should be checked at the time of booking.

Booking

For availability, more information or to book directly, click the Availability button above. It will take you straight to the owners.

Photo credits: © Adel Slimane Fecih | © James Ruffato | © Stéphanie Davilma