Things to see and do Great South

Gafsa can be proud to host in its land the largest snail farm in Tunisia. It is an artificial mound of about ten meters high, from an accumulation of ash, tools, human and animal bones, and especially snail shells, dating back to 7000 years BC. These piles are traces of human presence, when our ancestors lived in camps. They are found mainly in the south of the country, another one is found in a shelter under the rock located in the region of Oum El Araies.

In this nice museum, you will learn a lot about the part of the Sahara located in the Douz region. With a rather pleasant museology, you will understand the natural (fauna and flora) and cultural heritage of the Grand Erg Oriental, as well as the traditional life of the five tribes that historically populated the Douz region. You will learn a lot about the camels, these inescapable animals of the region. In the center of the museum stands a large nomadic tent. An interesting stop before going to really survey the desert!

With its leaning minaret, this austere mosque is dazzlingly white. The view is superb! A legend is attached to this troglodyte monument. This place would shelter the cave where took refuge a group of believers fleeing persecutions related to their faith. They would have woken up there after a sleep of... 309 years! The place presents another particularity just as enigmatic: the presence of several giant tombs of 5 meters whose origin remains to this day unexplained.

A few kilometres before arriving in Matmata, a magnificent cave ensemble reveals itself. Its owner, Faisal Habib, has for some years wanted it to be a luxury hotel. But the project is slow to take shape. In the meantime, Diar Amor is also a café, a shop, a restaurant and a modest museum located in the family house of Faycal, three generations old. Shame on the location (too) tourism: all the coaches stop here. 

This ksar is located on the hill of the djebel Abiodh and dominates the valley of the oued Zonndag. Oval in shape, it has many ghorfas (400 or 750 according to sources). The whole, essentially in ruins, rises essentially on three to four floors. The site has eight old oil mills, a mosque, a marabout and a mausoleum. Some historians consider it one of the oldest and largest ksour in the country. Abandoned at the beginning of the French protectorate, it has been proposed for a future classification on the Unesco World Heritage List.

A rich collection of fossils and pieces of dinosaur skeletons, as well as maps, diagrams and various reconstructions that explain the origins and evolution of our planet. In the center of the main hall, there are reconstructions of an iguanodontid dinosaur made of plaster and a pterosaur hanging from the ceiling, as well as a silicon simulation of a theropod egg nest. The museum has been chosen to be the nucleus of a future "Geopark of the Dahar".

The Ghomrassen valley has rock painting sites dating back 4,000 to 5,000 years: Chaabet El Maarek, but also Taguet Hamed and Insefri. The settlement of the region dates back to the Paleolithic and continued until the Neolithic, 8,000 years ago to 4,000 years BC. These superb paintings made with red ochre represent characters as well as domestic fauna (cattle and canids) and wild (felines, elephants, ostriches and antelopes).

This ksar is the first mountain ksar south of Tataouine with its 270 perfectly preserved ghorfas. It is in fact two ksour: an old one of square shape (50 m of diameter) and a more recent one (Ksar Jedid) of rectangular shape (70 meters on 90). A covered entrance(skifa) connects the two parts. This ksar has been restored. Some ghorfas of the recent part are still in use. It is a perfect illustration of the mountain ksour , which succeeded the citadel ksour. Easier of access, they have an agricultural function!

The place to understand everything about the date palm and the territory of Tozeur! Eden Palm is a unique and innovative concept: the intelligent discovery of the universe of the date palm and the date. The visit is in three parts: an exhibition, a visit of the palm grove, and the discovery of the laboratory. On the exhibition side, you will discover all that links men to date palms, in the palm grove you will test your knowledge in situ and finally in the laboratory you will discover all that can be created around the date. A warmly recommended visit!

The museum is located in a traditional house in the medina of Nefta. The strength of this museum? Its incredible collection of hundreds of photographs illustrating the landscapes of the region and especially the way of life of its inhabitants and their traditions. Thanks to them, and to the comments of the inexhaustible and passionate curator, you will learn everything about the history of Nefta between 1850 and 1950. In the courtyard of the museum are exposed various objects of the local craft industry.

This museum was born in 1999 to promote the Amazigh origins of Tamezret. Mongi devotes his time and energy to it. A true militant of his culture, he collects objects that bear witness to the life of his ancestors and collects the memory of the village from the elders. In a pleasant troglodytic house, Mongi tells a thousand and one stories about the local culture. He is also a craftsman: margoums, shawls and leather boots are reproduced identically by hand from ancient pieces.

Dar Taoufik is an open air museum. The very welcoming Taoufik welcomes you in his superb 420 year old troglodytic house. This house has kept all its original architectural aspect. In front of the freshness of the earth, you understand the way of life of the inhabitants of yesteryear. We come to Dar Taoufik to admire the architecture, we stay there because we are offered a delicious snack made of honey and olive oil and we want to come back for the extraordinary and warm welcome that your host reserves for you. A stop more than recommended!

Don't miss the market of Douz, on Thursday morning, where the city comes alive and vibrates differently. It is one of the most important markets in this region. Here you will meet men straight out of the desert, draped in their colorful chèches. The market occupies the central square and street, it is a vast place of exposure for the salesmen who do not seek to bait the tourist, even if one finds there some stalls of craft industry. Do not hesitate to drink a coffee at the edge of the street, you will take full eyes. You will see nomads coming to sell their fruits and vegetables produced in one of the oasis of the region, as well as merchants of handicraft clothes quite famous. But it is especially for its market with the animals, located below, on a place adjoining the palm plantation, that this day attracts the farmers of all the area. At the foot of the palm trees, sheep, chickens and rabbits are jostling each other in great numbers in an atmosphere full of cries, colors and unexpected smells. Depending on the season, you will also see camels. An incredible crowd of people crowds around the animals. Older men chat or play cross-legged games while waiting for a potential buyer to show up, while younger ones watch the eager animals. The children are busy selling rabbits and chickens, giving them a chance to learn their trade. A market as it is rare to see, and a 100% local experience, because you will cross here few tourists.