Archaeology handicrafts and science and technology sites to visit Morocco

The of Marrakesh are open from 9 h till dusk. Many shops of craftsmen are closed on Fridays. The Marrakech Souk itself is a monument: 40 000 craftsmen work inside this maze of streets and alleys with shimmering colours and characteristic smells, protected from the sun by wooden lathe. Orientation: this huge handicraft and commercial market obeys a rigid structure and order under a voluntarily disordered appearance: each corporation is thus confined to a neighbourhood. Admittedly, today it has become increasingly difficult to distinguish between the various parts of the souk, and the co-existence of traders does not always correspond to the primary vocation of neighbourhoods. But, by historical or tradition, it is always the old name of that is used by the Marrakchis. Today, the approaches of the souk (place Jemaâ el Fna, in particular) are victims of a «touristisation» that has lost many of the crafts shops their authenticity: by remaining at the periphery, you may acquire copies at the price of the authentic. You must therefore leave the shopping streets of the square Jemaâ el Fna, despite the insistence of most of the guides (which will urge you to stay close to the bazaars) and get into the dust. And if you are looking for more chic shops, head to the Gueliz district. There are many trendy shops offering candles, furniture, decoration items and crafts at reasonable prices given the originality of some parts.

Listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1987, the ksar of Ait Ben Haddou is one of the best preserved ksour of the Ounila valley. It has been the subject of numerous restoration works. The ksar, a style of traditional pre-Saharan habitat, is built on the left bank of the valley of Mellah, on a hillside. Its exceptional location has made it the main location for the shooting of films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth or Gladiator. This fortified village with collective dwellings has two main entrances: one on the east and the other on the west. Count on at least two hours of visit to walk the narrow streets and enjoy the site, remember to take a bottle of water with you. Within the ramparts, houses of one or two floors and tighermin of three to four floors. To visit the ksar, you do not necessarily need a guide. On the other hand, do not hesitate to ask for information to the inhabitants of the village, for a few dirhams of course; some of them will show you their houses. Each door, each interior courtyard conceals its architectural treasure, and the terraces on top of the buildings offer superb views of the village and the wadi below. The mosque, made of earth, like the rest of the village, no longer has a minaret because of the rain. The ksar of Aït Ben Haddou is very frequented by tourists, and also by souvenir sellers, that's why it is recommended to go there at off-peak hours (early morning, late evening).

A great classic of any trip to Morocco. The gorges are really superb. They extend from Tinghir to the village of Tamtatouchk, but the most spectacular part is at Tizgui, 14 km from Tinghir. At this place, two gigantic walls of pink granite face each other on nearly 300 m height, leaving just to the wadi Todra to accommodate its bed and tourists a small path to pass. Contrary to appearances, the cars pass. The water is absolutely clear, and you can go up the course of the wadi during beautiful excursions in the High Atlas. Just before and after the entrance to the gorges, a few hotels invite you to linger in the splendor of the site, although the invasion of concrete in this wonder of nature is regrettable. You can climb the wide, steep walls of the gorge, but for safety reasons we recommend that you bring your own equipment.
After the gorges, the tar continues to Tamtatouchk, where inns are beginning to be established, and even to Aït Hani, 52 km from Tinghir. Cars of tourists and nuisances of incessant constructions inside the gorges spoil a little the spectacle... but are the proof of its value! We therefore advise you to visit the gorges in the early morning or late afternoon. A Frenchman, Julio, who runs the guesthouse Secret Garden, organizes climbing trips and rents out equipment in excellent condition. He has created a via ferrata and re-equipped many routes in the area.

Animals, hunters and weapons, appearing on numerous rock engravings, can be seen on this site inhabited in prehistoric times. Ask an inhabitant of the village, he will be happy to show them to you. Oukaïmeden is the westernmost part of the National Park of rock engravings inaugurated in 1994. The Igountar side is one of the sites known for its concentration of paintings. The park includes Jebel Yagour, where you can see many geometric patterns from the Bronze Age. It extends to the province of Azilal in the east.

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.