Photo by ©Maison Marseillaise
Sitting on France’s southern coast, Marseille has always been a hub for artists and artisans. Today, it has become an under-the-radar haunt for design lovers, who come to profit from the city’s pleasing mix of contemporary European taste and raw, Mediterranean energy.
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From centuries-old institutions to beautifully curated concept stores, there are many places worth seeking out in this lively city. Whether you’re after artisanal ceramics, professional-grade cookware, or just a one-off textile with personality, here are the addresses we shopped at this summer.
Discover more of our favorite addresses with our 4 day itinerary, exploring Marseille and its beautiful surroundings.
La Maison Marseillaise
Just off rue Paradis, one of Marseille’s main shopping streets, this contemporary concept store is an essential stop for anyone with a playful, design-led approach to their home. The mix is sharp and well curated: known European brands sit beside pieces from smaller artists with a handful of luxury artisanal clothing adding to the browsing pleasure. Particularly strong on kitchen and dining ware, the edit leans tactile, colorful and stylishly functional — perfect for those who like their everyday objects designed with care.
38 rue Francis Davso, 13001
Atelier 159
In the city’s trendy 6th arrondissement, this space has a looser, bohemian feel, with an especially strong lighting, seating and textiles collection. The mix is eclectic, and a little edgier. Well-known European names fill the shelves, but the standouts are the rustic Libeco Home linens, perfect for softening a minimal apartment.
135 rue Breteuil, 13006
Maison Sériès
Just along from Atelier 159, Maison Sériès is the destination for design DIY-ers. Stocking a wide array of fabrics and wallpapers, it’s worth a detour if you’re already on the hill climbing towards Notre Dame. Expect a warm welcome from the knowledgeable team who are happy to assist with your home or fashion project.
108 Rue Breteuil, 13006
Maison Empereur
Marseille’s oldest quincaillerie (hardware store) the labyrinthine interior —spread over 3 floors — covers everything from knives, cookware, cleaning products and tools, to home textiles, children’s toys, even vintage-inspired clothing. Come here to stock up on French classics: Savon de Marseille in generous blocks, enamelled cookware, porcelain serveware and every imaginable kitchen tool. More than a shop, it’s a living archive of French domestic life.
4 rue des Récolettes, 13001
Sessún Alma
Created by the clothing brand Sessùn, this concept store blends gallery and café in one. Ceramics and decorative pieces by local and international makers sit alongside art and design books, sculptural candles, raw pottery, and a seasonal edit of Sessùn clothing. With its café-restaurant, it’s as much a place to spend time as it is to shop.
127 rue Sainte, 13007
Œuvres Sensibles — Sarah Espeute
In her appoint-only showroom-atelier, Sarah Espeute transforms antique linens into small-batch hand-embroidered textiles that double as artworks. Tablecloths, napkins, runners and cushions are stitched with trompe-l’œil scenes — cutlery, fruit, bouquets — rendered in minimalist line-work that feels both humorous and tender. Part gallery, part studio, both the space and its work blur the line between domestic life and contemporary art, positioning Espeute as one of Marseille’s most interesting young voices in design.
7 rue Villeneuve 13001 Marseille
Les Puces de Fifi
A permanent brocante where a collective of dealers brings together antiques and curiosities of all kinds— dining chairs, ceramics, glassware, textiles and the occasional oddity you didn’t know you needed. The mix changes constantly, so it’s worth dropping in regularly. Prices are generally fair, and the atmosphere is relaxed rather than polished, making it a rewarding spot for anyone who enjoys the hunt and wants to add unique antiques to their home.