Marrakech
As eternal as the snow of the highest summits, as imposing
as the Atlas Mountains, as rooted in the history as the palm
trees in the ground, Marrakech says the last word in a painting
of an immutable beauty.
The greatest kings disputed its wealth, scientists, craftsmen,
architects, painters, sculptors of different dynasties set
up there sumptuous palaces, mosques, gardens,... Marrakech,
the imperial city has formerly lent its name to Morocco.
In Marrakesh, the Berbers and the Arabs are joined, the nomads
and the mountain dwellers are converged, the goods are abound,
the craft industry is flourished, palaces, hotels, restaurants,
golf, casino...
Marrakech is in fact the capital of the Moroccan South.
Practical information:
Banks: the banks are open Monday to Friday
From 08h15 to 11h15 and from 14h15 to 16h00
The exchange rate is imposed on all banks by the Moroccan
authorities. It is approximately 1O Dirhams for 1€.
Water: Although the water of Marrakech
is drinkable, it is recommended to drink mineral water.
You will find plain water, such as Sidi Harazem, Sidi Ali
or aerated waters, such as Oulmès and Bonaqua.
Taxis: There are two categories of taxis:
small ones: urban displacement.
(3 passengers maximum) the price varies between 10 and
20 Dirhams.
Large ones: These taxis are not equipped with counters,
they are found mainly on large axes.
The tariffs are raised approximately 50% in the evening.
(Starting from 20h00)
Barouches: Are specific to Marrakech.
They are the way of transportation that characterizes this
city.
Tips: It is used as a sign of gratefulness
to the luggage carriers, to the chambermaids, the guides…
Excursions Marrakech is an excellent
starting point for many excursions. We will be delighted
to offer you advice concerning the kind of excursions you
may have.
Rent a car: Certain
car agencies offer very attractive prices range, however
the Fiat UNO is a basic vehicle that is rather intended
for driving downtown.
We will help you in terms of the vehicle and agency choice.
Guides: All our
guides are holders of professional card delivered by the
Ministry of Tourism.
Weather:
Winter: we advise you heavy clothing
(fresh at sunrise and sunset, around 20° in midday).
Autumn and spring: light clothing (from
22° to 28° at lunch time)
Summer: lightclothing
(pleasant time in the morning and in the evening, about
32° to 42° in midday)
Pleasures of Marrakech
Gardens of Agdal created in the 12 th
century, it was intended solely to the sultans, their family
and to their servants. They amount to the time of the Almohade
dynasty where the town of Marrakech knew a great prosperity
at all levels, these gardens are the fruit of the work undertaken
under the reign of king Abdel Moumen (1133- 1163) and of
its grandson king Yacoub Al Mansour (1163-1184). This natural
park (3 km length by 1,5 km height), whose creation is inspired
from the Andalusian gardens, was named El Bouhayra (small
sea) at the time Almohade then Masarat by Saâdians
and was finally called Agdal under the Alaouite dynasty.
It is located at the south-east of the red city, very close
to the prefecture Sidi Youssef Ben Ali. These gardens, irrigated
by a huge central basin, are divided into several pieces
where lemon trees, orange trees, olive-trees, fig trees,
pomegranates are planted...
Ménara: a huge artificial water
plan built by the sultans of the 12 th century, which was
used as the city water reserve and as an entertainment basin
for the soldiers.
Also created by Almohades and then rearranged by Moulay-Abderrahmane.
It is an enclosure especially planted by olive-trees.
With its Saâdian origin and its green pyramidal
roofs, it inspires cheerfulness. It is reflected in a square
basin surrounded by a channel. It was the park of hinds
belonging to the Sultan Moulay-Abderrahmane.
The current structure was restored during the 19 th century
by the Alaouite King Abderrahmane.
It became a night spectacle, whose scene is the large
basin. It associates the most sophisticated techniques to
the traditional songs (sounds, light, special effects, and
water screens).
Majorelle: Wascreated
in 1921 by the famous French painter Jacques Majorelle.
These gardens are of a beautiful harmony, sheltering a flora
which is rich by various plants from the five continents
(cactus, palm trees.....etc.).
Palm plantation Large by about 12 kilometers,
the legend tells that the nomads, who were eating mainly
dates, threw the cores’ dates in the holes caused
by the stakes of their tents. It’s at this moment
that this plantation saw the day light. It shelters today
luxurious hotels and host houses.
It is one of principal attractions of Marrakech.
From the outside, you will see only sumptuous gates and
walls which seem that they have no end.
It is necessary to penetrate in these hectares of palm
plantation to understand the richness and the variety of
the residences that are hidden there.
There are lodgings for all tastes, from the most modern
villa to the Kasbah reconstituted and arranged with the
greatest comfort, having in common the quality of installations
and the excellence of the service.
For the calm- fanatics, and for those who appreciate the
top-of-the-range or luxurious services, we selected some
lodgings which accommodate your wants. (from host houses
and hotels to exclusive rental).
The Saâdians tombs: royal necropolis
where the members of the Saâdian dynasty rest. In
the 16 th century, (with Saâdians), Marrakech knew
a short rebirth and took temporarily again its title as
a capital. El-Mansour-ED-Dahbi built a necropolis that Moulay-Ismael
did not dare to destroy. The ornaments are in stucco, the
walls in mosaic and the ceilings are gilded out of cedar
wood. All this contrasts with the nudity of the tombs.
Palace El Badie built in the 16 th century,
it’s considered to be the wonder of the Moslem World.
Palace of Bahia it was built at the
end of the last century. On 8 hectares, this palace is composed
of a succession of apartments surrounding the Ryads. The
Bahia palace was built by Ba-Ahmed, the vizier of the sovereigns
Moulay-El-Hassan and Moulay-Abdelaziz. Its garden full with
abundant vegetation is divided by alleys paved by marble
and mosaic.
Bahia Gardens : They were created by
the Minister of the Moroccan Culture under the reign of
Abdelaziz, the Alaouite King (1894 - 1908). These gardens
are located inside the large Bahia palace. These gardens
shelter palm trees, banana trees and a range of plants which
are protected into big spaces decorated in wood.
Dar Si Said: It’s the museum of
Moroccan arts since 1930. This old house, belonging to the
father of the vizier Ba Ahmed, is over one century years
old.
The museum of Marrakech: Beside the
medersa Ben Youssef. It’s opened everyday except Monday.
You can see contemporary artworks, collection of different
currencies, ancient books, and some ornaments coming from
various areas of Morocco. The Hammam, recently restored,
offers some small showrooms. Paying access
Koutoubia: It was built in the 12 2nd
century. It is the climax of Marrakech. It cannot be visited,
but you will be able to make a walk around it to admire
its four faces, which are all different. The mosque of the
bookshops was thus called because books and manuscripts
were sold in a neighbouring street. Koutoubia reflects the
volunteer sobriety of the Almohade art.
Place Jemaa El Fna : it was formerly
a place where the sultans killed the criminals and the rebels.
Today it is the heart of the medina. It is registered in
the World Inheritance of Orality. It is the “insane
place” from where all the arteries diverge and where
the life stops only in the early morning. They dance, they
plays, they tell different stories….. The ugliness
and poverty forms part of the originality there. To start
from this place towards the lanes - labyrinths or towards
the large avenues of Guéliz, it is to discover infinity
of colours: from the most attracting bazaars to the delicate
beige-rosy constructions.
Most heteroclite markets are held there: medicinal herbs,
amulets, fruits, fritters, satchels. It is a fairground full
of attractions: acrobats, dancers, snake charmers, Ai' ssaoua.
All the streets and the parks, come towards this place.
