Marrakesh, the Menara

An elegant pavillon with green tiles reflecting in water of an immense basin, with in background, the Atlas Mountains: one of the symbol images of Marrakesh.
The huge central basin was dug in the XIIth century by the Almohades: it was intended to store rainwater as well as that coming from the close mountains (drained thanks to the system of "khettaras"). Its gardens, an immense olive grove surrounded by a cob wall, extend on a hundred hectares.

Where to sleep in Marrakesh?

The pavillon, of Saadian origin, was built towards 1866 under the reign of the sultan Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah.
PS : Daily visit, very pleasant walk during the sunset time, possible picnic in the shade of splendid olive-trees. Closing at 05:00 pm, the site is reopened at 08:00 pm a Sound & Light spectacle, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening.

Essaouira, the gates of the Medina

The Ramparts of the medina of Essaouira propose 2 types of gates architecture...
Bab Doukkala, Bab Marrakech and Bab Sbaa are masterpieces of Moroccan style characterized by their external and interior opening in Roman arches.

Where to sleep in Essaouira?

The second type of gates, as the gate of the Port built in 1769, is a significant example and a monumental realization with a triangular pediment of Greek style supported by grooved columns. It is connected to the port’s Sqala or Skala by a small bridge which spans a small basin where are anchored numerous fishery boats.

The Ouzoud waterfalls

150 km to the North-East of Marrakech, these astonishing water falls of 110 m height are classified among the most beautiful sites of Morocco and constitute one of the most remarkable natural attractions of the Moroccan Atlas.

Where to sleep in Marrakech?

The Ouzoud wadi ("ouzoud "meaning 'olive' in Berber language, reference to the olive groves of the area) precipitates to the bottom of a green pit, to join the canyon of the wadi el Abid, 2 km from there. The irrigation allows many cultures, in particular splendid olive groves.



An interesting walk (possible to last from 2 to 4 H) consists in descending the wadi downstream the cascades, by a succession of basins bordered of reeds, where you will be able to surprise martins-fishermen and
small falls of water.

Beyond the waterfalls, a track (21 km) for the Abid wadi, of so deep gorges (from 400 to 600 m). The track goes down in laces until the upstream of the gorges, crosses the wadi and continuous in a basin cultivated, through a landscape of olive groves.

Oukaïmeden, the rise to the orientation table

The rise to reach the top, culminating at 3273m lasts approximately 1h30.

Where to sleep in Oukaïmeden?

In clear weather the scene is really splendid; the table of orientation located at the top will allow you to recognize the various tops of the Toubkal mount. Return by the valley of assif n’Aït Irene approximately 1h30.

In summer simple equipment: Tennis, hot clothing and cut wind.

The winter the rise can be done by the chair-lift, 2€50 per person. And if the snow allows it you will be able to rent skis and shoes allowing you a pretty descent towards the station.

El Jadida, Moussem de Moulay Abdallah

Accommodation Morocco ?

Le village de pêcheurs de Moulay Abdallah, au sud d’El Jadida est, au mois d’août, le lieu où se déroule l’un des plus beau moussem de tout le Maroc. Les points culminants de ce pèlerinage vers la Zaouia du Saint sont constitués par des jeux équestres, des fantasias, où les cavaliers montrent leur agilité exceptionnelle.

Tetouan, history of the city

Tetouan city seems to have existed since the Arab conquest, it was known under the name of Tittawin which means water sources in Berber language.

Where to sleep in Tetouan?

Certain authors allot the foundation of this city to the Andalusian soufi Sidi Abdelkader Tabine which settled in Tetouan about 1148 and started to urbanize the site of Tetouan for the first time by the construction of a several residences, a mosque, shops and mills.

In 1286 Abou Youssef Ya' coub of the Merinides dynasty built the Kasbah of Tetouan which was used as a military base for the siege of Sebta.

In 1307, Abou Tabit an Emir of the same dynasty built a large suburb around this
Kasbah which was built by its predecessor.

Approximately in 1437 the city was destroyed, probably by the Portuguese of Sebta, it remains ruined and abandoned until the end of the XVth century when it was rebuilt.

According to many historical sources, the rebuilding of the city of Tetouan should be about 1492-93, just after the fall of Grenade. It was the work of Abou Al Hassan Ali Al Mandari an Andalusian refugee from the area of Grenade.

Just after its rebuilding in 1493 and while all the cities of the Mediterranean coast were occupied by the Portuguese and the Spanish, the city of Tetouan had become at the same time a Jihad base, a trade centre and one of the most famous piracy centres in the Mediterranean basin.

Parallel to these activities, the city continued to attract other migratory flows of Andalusian origin and was about to experience a great urban development as the creation of new districts which were grafted in the first formed core of Hay Al-Balad and Kasbah of Sidi Al-Mandri.

Riads Morocco

Dating from the 18th siecle, Riad Mesc el Lil has conserved its magic and charm in a vast romantic oasis of tranquility, light and space. Dream under old orange trees in the patio gardens to water gently cascading from the fountain.

Terremaroc Riads Morocco

Riads in Morocco - reservations for Marrakech, Essaouira and Fez.