Things to see and do Atlantic Coast

The square was the administrative heart of the French city during the protectorate period. In the centre of it once stood the equestrian statue of Marshal Lyautey. It was unrolled in 1956, on Independence Day, to be placed in front of the French consulate where it is still located today. Its administrative buildings in the neo-Moorish style combine all the elements of traditional Moroccan arts with the functional characteristics of European architecture: zellige, ironwork, marble... They give this square a beautiful architectural unity and frame a square where men rest and chat at any time of the day, in the shade of the ficus trees.

Built at the beginning of the twentieth century by one of the French architects who marked urban planning in Morocco during the protectorate, Adrien Laforgue is the author of several emblematic buildings, Saint Peter's Cathedral (Hassan District in Rabat), Rabat station in downtown, and the General Treasury. The beautiful facade of a deep blue and green zelligar, mixing geometric and floral ornamentation, is noted at the outset. inside, men and women are waiting for their turn, sitting under a superb cedar ceiling with a large central brass chandelier. Behind the marble counters, we will look at the beautiful yellow clock to the very Art Deco typography.

At the west end of the Corniche there are several sandy beaches. Their popular and lively atmosphere recalls that of our public parks. The Casaoui do their dog here, play soccer or picnic, pleasure on rocky ridges. In summer, teams are recruited to clean the sand. Out of season, its state is rather deplorable. So we would be wandering to Ain Diab to discover the popular and healthy atmosphere of these urban beaches. For the pleasures of bathing, you will choose the choice for the beaches of Dar Bouazza or Mohammédia, at the exit of Casablanca.

Located 80 km from El Jadida, Boulaoune Kasbah was built by Moulay Ismail circa 1710 on the top of a rocky mountain. This kasbah dominates the valley and lies on the edge of the Umm er Rbia Oued. The view is splendid. The place is in ruins but one can still understand how the soldiers of this garrison lived. Frescos are still visible on the walls and a square tower rises in the middle. You can discover some rooms and perhaps the remains of a hammam. Before you arrive in the Kasbah, you will cross a eucalyptus forest. At the entrance you will cross an old man who keeps the place. After your visit, give him a bet.

You can choose the public beach or one of the many private clubs. All offer deckchairs, sound system spitting amount of noise, and cuisine with high prices. The Moroccan youth gives itself to visit it.

In this square, the Hotel Excelsior was a very good place to delimit the ancient city and the new French city. For sometimes three to four years they were waiting here to find out where to stay. At that time Casablanca was a European Eldorado where everything was possible. The excitement for this city was at its height and the real estate speculation was running full! The style of the building is typically Moorish, with its broken arches very close to the Algerian style and its white and yellow façade.

Just left, after the Excelsior, on Allal-Ben-Abdellah Street, is a building made by Marius Boyer. Its four towers had small studios for young households. A completely new type of housing in the 1930 s.

This large church built near the district of Habous dates back to 1953, three years before the independence of Morocco. In the 1950 s, the city had around 450 000 foreigners from the Christian faith. Today, African students studying in Morocco constitute the majority of the faithful. Throughout the imposing concrete nave, stained glass windows were made by the master verrier of Chartres, Gabriel Loire. The series opens on a scene of the Apocalypse of Saint John, and then declines the themes related to the cult of the Immaculate Conception. Originality lies in the mix of performances of biblical scenes and historical episodes: a thesis of a Franciscan at the Sorbonne about the Virgin Mary, victory of the naval battle of Léparte dedicated to the Virgin… A set of stained glass windows that is worth looking at for the liveliness of its colors and the originality of its iconography. 

The façade of the building is beautifully decorated with geometric motifs. We also note its elegant copper door. Inside, the wall of wall covered with zélliges is considered, a subtle color of gray, beige, roses and chestnut, overlooking a beautiful golden clock. A sculpture of Caesar made of interlocking metal plates, dated 1989, the "Eiffel plate" is set out in the main hall. You will also notice its beautiful glass ceiling that covers a geometric structure.

As its name indicates, this garden had its creation to host many plant species. There were more than two hundred different species, some of which were removed from distant land. In a fate similar to that of the Arab League in Casablanca, he lived for a long time on his achievements before undergoing a solid renovation. Reopened in 2011, it once again offers the promenade its green alleys, although rare botanical species have for a long time placed a more common flora in Morocco: Olive trees and palm trees are pleasantly reflected in water plans covered with water lilies.

Opened in 2003 and staging itself at the foot of Hassan Tower, they are the most recent gardens of the city. Pretty fountains, they are the new points for the locals come to refresh around the pools. The design of this new gardens were inspired by those of Alcazar, in Seville. Quite logical all in all, the Hassan Tower itself is a copy of the Giralda in Seville.

Not much to consult, the website is enough for itself…

Beautiful beach located away from the road. Take a dirt road to reach it. Wild beach, a few years ago and run to surfers, this place is now invaded by buildings that approach the unrelentingly beach. It is a place to discover for swimming and a very good spot of surfing.

A pretty fine sandy beach at the exit of Casablanca. There can be strong waves, which does not always encourage swimming, but makes it a perfect surf spot.