So eternal as snows of the highest summits, so impressive as the mountains of the Atlas, so rooted in the history as palm trees in the ground, Marrakesh brings the final touch to a painting of unchanging beauty.

The biggest kings quarrelled over it, the dynasties succeeded one another there, scholars, craftsmen, architects, painters, sculptors of all times set up luxurious palaces, mosques, gardens, Koranic schools … Marrakesh, the imperial city which formerly lent its name to Morocco.

The Berbers and the Arabs join there, the nomads and the mountain dwellers converge there, the goods abound there, the crafts blossom, palaces, hotels, restaurants, golf, casinos …

Marrakesh is indeed the capital of the Moroccan South.

Practical infos

Banks : banks are opened from Monday till Friday From 08:15 am till 11:15 am and from 2:15 pm till 4:00pm (except during summer time or Ramadan where they may be opened from 8.30 till 3pm)

The exchange rate is imposed on all banking institutions by the Moroccan authorities. It is about 1O.8 Dirhams for 1€. / 16.00 Dirhams for 1 £ .

Water : although the water of Marrakesh is drinkable, it is recommended to drink mineral water. You will find flat waters, such as Sidi Harazem, Sidi Ali or gaseous waters, such as Oulmes and Bonaqua

Taxis: there are two categories of taxis: small taxis: for the city. (3 passengers maximum) the price varies between 10 and 20 Dirhams according to distance. Ask for the meter.

Large taxis  : These taxis are not equipped with meters, you may use them for long distances .

Rates: do increase about 50 % in the evening. (From 8:00 pm)

Carriages: Typical of Marrakesh . It is the most characteristic means of transportation of this city.

Tips: it is the custom sign of thanking : give a tip to carriers of luggage, waiters, chambermaids, guides…

Excursions : Marrakesh is an excellent location as a start for numerous excursions. We shall be pleased to advise you.

Rent a car: some renters will have very attractive rates, however Fiat Uno conveys of base is rather intended for driving in the city.

We shall suggest our preferences in terms of rental agency and choice of vehicle.

Guides: all our guides have professional ID cards delivered by the Ministry of Tourism.

Weather report :

Winter: we advise you to have warm clothes (fresh at dawn, sunset and around 20° at noon)

Automn & Spring  : Light clothes (from 22° to 28° at noon)

Summer : light clothes (warm from morning till evening, 32° to 42° around noon time).

Pleasures of Marrakech

The gardens of Agdal  : Created in 12 ème century, was reserved for the sultans and for their court(yard). They go back to the time of the dynasty Almohade where the city of Marrakesh knew a prosperity at every level, these gardens are the fruit of the works begun under the administration of king Abdel Moumen (1133-1163) and of his(its) grandson king Yacoub Al Mansour ( 1163-1184 ). This natural reserve ( 3 km long by 1,5 km wide), the creation of which is inspired by the Andalusian gardens, was El Bouhayra ( the small sea) in the time(period) Almohade then(may) Masarat by Saâdiens was named was finally conscript Agdal under the dynasty Alaouite, is situated in the southeast of the red city, right by the prefecture Sidi Youssef Ben Ali. These gardens, irrigated by an immense central pond, are divided into several standing plots of land of lemon trees, orange trees, olive trees, fig trees, pomegranate trees …

Ménara: a vast artificial stretch of water builds by the sultans in 12 ème century, which was of use as reservoir to the city and as pond of training to the soldiers of time(period).

Also created by Almohades then reorganized by Moulay-Abderrahmane, it is an enclosure(pen) especially standing of olive trees. Its detached house(flag) of origin saadienne with his(her,its) green pyramidal roof inspires the gaiety. He(it) is reflected in a square pond surrounded with a channel. It was the park in

The current structure of the site was restored during half of the 19th century by king Alaouite Abderrahmane.

Majorelle: create in 1921 by the famous French painter Jacques Majorelle, these gardens are of a beautiful harmony, sheltering a flora rich in various plants of five continents (cactus, palm trees, etc.)

Palm grove: long about 12 kilometres , the legend tells that the nomads, who feeding mainly on dates, threw(cast) nuclei(kernels) in holes caused by the pickets of their tents. And so she(it) was born. She(It) shelters hotels and luxury houses today.

It is one of the main attractions of Marrakesh .

There is for all the tastes, of the most modern villa in the kasbah reconstituted and fitted out with the biggest comfort, with the common point, the quality of the arrangements(developments) and the excellence of the service. For the amateurs of peace, for those who appreciate the services(performances) up-market, to see luxurious, we selected some houses which accept the rent in bed and breakfast as much as the rent exclusively.

Graves Saâdiens: royal necropolis where rest(base) the members of the dynasty Saâdienne. In 16th s with Saâdiens, Marrakesh knew a brief revival and has resumed(took back) for a moment his(her,its) title of capital. El-Mansour-Ed-Dahbi was to build a necropolis which Moulay-Ismafl did not dare to destroy(annul). The Spanish-Moresque art lost here its purity Almohade. The ornaments are in stucco, walls in mosaic, the wooden gold-coloured ceilings of cedar, All this contrast with the nudity of graves.

El Badie palace : the wonder of Muslim the world. It was built during the 16 th century.

Palace of Bahia : It was built at the end of the last century. Consisting of a succession of apartments surrounding riads on 8 hectares , Palace of Bahia was built by the vizier Ba-Ahmed of the sovereigns Moulay-El-Hassan and Moulay-Abdelaziz. Its luxurious garden is divided by marble and mosaic paved paths.
The gardens of Bahia : created by the Minister of the Moroccan culture during the period of king Alaouite Abdelaziz (on 1894 - 1908), these gardens are within the big palace Bahia . These gardens shelter palm trees, banana trees and a range of plants protected by big wooden decorated spaces.

Dar Si Saïd : museum of the Moroccan arts since 1930. Escorted and paying visit, every day except on Tuesday and national holidays. This ancient house of the father of the vizier Ba Ahmed dated from the end of the last century is close to the museum of Moroccan art.

The museum of Marrakesh : Located next to the médersa (Koran school) Ben Youssef. Opens every day except Monday. Paying access. We see contemporary and Orientalist artwork, collections of coins, ancient books, and fineries coming from various regions of Morocco . The hammam, recently renovated, offers small showrooms.

The Koutoubia: was built during the 12 th century. It is Marrakesh 's highlight. It cannot be visited, but you can make a tour around to admire its four fronts, each different. The mosque of bookshops was so called because books and manuscripts were sold in a neighbouring street. It was built on the square of the Palace of Almoravides between 1158 and 1199 and takes place among the biggest mosques of the Muslim west. None other than the Koutoubia shows the extreme will of sobriety emanating from the Almohades art.

Square Jemaa El Fna: was formerly the square of Marrakesh where sultans tortured the criminals and the rebels. Today it is the heart of the medina. it is registered on the World heritage of the “verbality”. it is the " crazy square " where from all the arteries diverge and where life stops only in the early morning hours. We dance there, we play music, we tell it stories, and unwind. Leave the square towards alleys - Labyrinths or towards the wide avenues of Guéliz, it's discovering an infinity of colours: from the most flashy showy bazaars to the most delicate beige – rosé wine colour of its constructions. It is where is held the most heterogeneous of all markets: medicinal herbs, amulets, fruits, doughnuts. It is a fairground with attractions: acrobats, dancers, musician and snake charmers. All streets and parks, meet towards this square.