Le Havre du Citronnier is a tropical house with character, arranged around a patio where a lemon tree filters the light and naturally cools the spaces.
4 bedrooms, spacious rooms, suspended terrace, billiards table, barbecue, outdoor shower, and hammock.
Designed for groups and families.
Bioclimatic design, natural ventilation, solar-powered, safe water, fiber Wi-Fi.
Just a short walk from the Corniche and downtown.
Mosquito nets and fans in all bedrooms.
The space
The patio — the heart of the house
The entire house is arranged around its central open patio, which features an old lemon tree and a garden of aromatic plants. All the bedrooms open directly onto it—it's the house's natural living and gathering space, shaded and naturally ventilated.
There is an open-plan kitchen, a pool table, a barbecue, an outdoor shower, a large dining table, a bar with stools, and a reading area with a bookcase and board games. The smart TV—with Canal+ and Netflix—is located near the dining table. A staircase leads up to the suspended deck upstairs.
The hanging terrace
Upstairs, the terrace offers a more intimate and airy space, pleasantly breezy and with a sea view. Outdoor living area, massage and wellness corner, hammock. The perfect place to unwind at the end of the day or enjoy the peacefulness of the elevated neighborhood.
Note from the architect — Antoine Kha
Le Havre du Citronnier was born from a place before it was a project. On a small urban plot, two features remained: an old building and a deeply rooted lemon tree. Rather than erasing these traces, the architecture chose to extend them.
The house is self-contained and arranged around an interior garden, where the lemon tree becomes the heart of the design—providing light, ventilation, and a breathing space within a dense urban environment.
The materials are largely exposed: wood, the natural stone of the walls, and simple textures. A warm and genuine atmosphere.
A place of refuge and openness – the serenity of an inward-looking space and a connection with the outside world.
Rooms
Bedroom 1 — Master suite
The master bedroom of the house — spacious, quiet, comfortable. King-size bed, en-suite bathroom, ceiling fan.
Bedroom 2
Two comfortable single beds (100 x 200), very bright and well-ventilated. Connecting to Bedroom 1 on request — perfect for a family with a child or two close-knit travelers.
Bedrooms 3 and 4
Identical: double bed (140 x 200), closet, desk. Quiet and functional. Separate bathroom shared between the two bedrooms.
All bedrooms are equipped with mosquito nets, fans, and curtains. Premium bedding with 100% cotton sheets. Each room features an original work by Malagasy artists.
The kitchen
Fully equipped and opening out to the patio. American-style fridge, gas stove, gas oven, rice cooker. For breakfast: filter coffee maker, Italian coffee maker, Lavazza espresso machine, kettle, croque-monsieur maker, and waffle iron. High-quality pots, pans, cutting boards, and knives, plus a full set of tableware including champagne glasses and a cocktail set. Breakfast-in-bed trays available by reservation.
The House-Gallery
Le Havre du Citronnier hosts the works of two Malagasy artists, whose art brings life to the house on a daily basis.
Zonasandratr'art (Antananarivo) works in watercolor—faces, landscapes, suspended light. Eleven of his works are on display in the house.
Isaac Azaly (Diego Suarez) spans painting, screen printing, and music. His murals can be seen around the city. Nine of his works are here.
All these pieces are for sale. If any of them resonate with you during your stay, let Sébastián know—he will put you in direct contact with the artist.
Comfort and autonomy
The house is designed to operate completely independently, which makes a real difference to Diego.
Hybrid and autonomous energy system
The house is equipped with a Bluetti AC300 system with batteries (≈6 kWh), connected to the power grid.
👉 In the event of a power outage, the transfer is automatic
👉 Essential amenities remain powered (Wi-Fi, lighting, refrigerator, outlets)
👉 Solar power generation helps maximize range during the day
Water: 8,000-liter tank supplied by the Jirama network and rainwater harvesting, with a booster pump. For cooking, drinking, and making ice cubes: high-quality EVA filter water dispenser.
Internet: high-speed fiber Wi-Fi, suitable for remote work and video calls. In the event of an outage, instant switchover to Starlink or Wi-Fi mobile data sharing is possible.
Parking: Two vehicles can park directly on the street in front of the house. Motorcycles allowed in the courtyard. Solar-powered street lighting installed for comfort and safety at night. The cul-de-sac is quiet and secure.
Location
The house is located on a quiet, residential cul-de-sac, within walking distance of the best that Diego has to offer.
Right across the street: Breizh à DS, a French crêperie and pâtisserie with exceptional views of Diego Bay and Port Jasmine. In the morning, before everyone else, for a coffee or an éclair overlooking the water. On weekends, we deliver croissants and pains au chocolat to your door—just place your order on the website the day before.
A 1-minute walk away: the Jardin Tropical, a green oasis in the heart of the city, perfect for a stroll or just some shade.
5-minute walk: Rue Colbert, the Score supermarket, banks, and the main shops.
5-minute walk: Place Kabary and the Port Jasmine promenade.
Diego is a remote town that looks like a crossroads. The bay is huge. Napoleon is said to have called it the most beautiful in the world. Whether true or false, the statement says something.
Hosted by
Sébastián has been living and working between Diego Suarez and the north of Madagascar for over ten years. A traveler, entrepreneur, and writer, he runs Plantmad, a social enterprise focused on promoting local plant resources. He knows the city, its artisans, its must-visit spots, and its people.
Helpful and willing, he will be happy to join guests for a game of pool, an aperitif, or a board game evening—and to recommend the best restaurants, excursions, and trusted local contacts.
Euphrasie was born into a family where hospitality comes naturally. After gaining professional experience in tourism on Nosy Bé, she now manages the day-to-day operations of the house. What she offers is not a service—it is a presence.
On request: meals prepared with fresh produce from the day's market, a market tour followed by a communal cooking session and a traditional Malagasy meal, breakfast in bed, relaxing massages on the terrace, homemade jams, and rum-based liqueurs—including homemade Balafomanga.
Ideally, make the request the day before. In the morning, preferably.
Tongasoa.
We also welcome guests to other locations between Diego Suarez and Sambirano, each with its own atmosphere and connection to nature.
Guest access
The entire house is privatized for the duration of the stay: patio, bedrooms, kitchen, bathrooms, hanging terrace and outdoor spaces. Only a few technical spaces remain closed.
Check-in is on site. Pets welcome upon request. Outdoor visitors by prior agreement
The base price is for 2 guests. An additional €15 per person per night applies from the 3rd guest, up to a maximum of 8 people. Please declare the correct number of guests at the time of booking.
Other things to note
Natural ventilation is favored throughout the house—there is no air conditioning. Diego's wind turbine and the house's bioclimatic design take care of this effectively.
We simply ask that you respect the premises, the neighborhood, and the peace and quiet of the area.