Little Gem France No. 002 | The Fisherman’s Cabanon

Just a few steps from the small harbour of Malmousque, this former fisherman’s cabanon sits tucked between sea, rocks and narrow village lanes, in one of Marseille’s most quietly coveted coastal pockets.

Once part of a working maritime landscape, these small seaside shelters have gradually shifted from fishing use to slow living retreats. Here, the transformation feels particularly intimate: a compact house designed for days shaped entirely by the sea.

The Setting

Malmousque feels less like a neighbourhood and more like a coastal village folded into the city.

Small coves, swimming ladders, rocky inlets and a tiny harbour define daily life here. Everything happens on foot: morning swims at Maldormé, a drink by the water, or an evening walk along the shoreline as the light softens across the Mediterranean.

Despite being within Marseille’s urban perimeter, the atmosphere is that of a secluded seaside enclave.

The House

The cabanon unfolds across approximately 40 square metres, arranged over two levels and designed for two guests, or up to four with children.

The ground floor opens onto a living space that blends kitchen, dining and lounge functions into a single Mediterranean room. Upstairs, a simple sleeping area extends the sense of compactness and ease, with materials chosen to reflect the coastal setting: whitewashed walls, terracotta flooring, natural fibres and light timber accents.

Light enters directly from the sea side, shifting throughout the day and anchoring the space firmly to its surroundings.

Living Malmousque

Life here is entirely local and entirely walkable.

Days begin with swimming in the coves, continue with lunches in neighbourhood cafés, and unfold across small rituals: a coffee on the harbour, a walk along the rocks, an afternoon swim before the light changes again.

Evenings often spill into the narrow lane outside the cabanon, where a small table becomes a natural extension of the house and the neighbourhood rhythm slows with the sunset.

Atmosphere

The experience is defined by proximity: to the sea, to the village, and to a very specific Marseille way of life.

There is no separation between house and landscape. Instead, the cabanon operates as a threshold, a small domestic space constantly opened towards the water, the rocks and the shifting activity of the port.

Location

Malmousque, Marseille’s 7th arrondissement, sits between the city centre and the coastline of the Corniche.

The Vieux-Port is a short drive or coastal walk away, while the Calanques begin further south along the coast. Despite this accessibility, Malmousque retains a distinctly local rhythm shaped by swimming spots, small restaurants and seaside paths.

Nearest Airport & Train Station

Marseille Provence Airport – approx. 30 minutes by car
Marseille Saint-Charles Station – approx. 15–20 minutes by car

Price Indication

From approximately €160 to € 200 per night [Minimum stay is 2 nights] depending on season.

Booking

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

Photo credits by @victoiretaverne @victoirepinel @masverret @carolineferaud @antoineboudindesign @cillerau