Things to see and do Sidi Bou Saïd

This museum, also called "the palace of Baron d'Erlanger", is a must-see. Following the road of the cornice, above the bridge, one discovers the former property of Baron Rodolphe d'Erlanger, musicologist and benefactor of the village. It is a white and square palace, quite sober, whose construction occupied the baron for twenty years. This British dignitary did a lot for the fame of Sidi Bou Saïd, where he settled in 1912 in the house of his dreams, well in line with the Bou-Saïdian spirit: a fine architecture, integrating stucco and ceramics, Moorish motifs and luminous contrasts. Surrounded by a beautiful park with cypress and pine trees, and with the most beautiful view, it now houses a center and a museum dedicated to music.

Built between 1912 and 1922, the Enneima Ezzahra Palace ("the shining star") is considered an important monument of the Tunisian architectural heritage, where local influences and Andalusian-Maghrebian decorative elements are mixed.

Installed in the palace, the Center for Arab and Mediterranean Music (CMAM) is a multidisciplinary cultural complex dedicated to music and the various fields of musical activity. In addition to the exhibition rooms of exceptional quality, a study and research center has been opened on the premises and an animation (concerts, violin making workshop) gives even more life to the palace. The exhibition presents the most complete collection of musical instruments used in Tunisia to date. It is divided into five main groups: stringed instruments, wind instruments, percussion instruments, keyboards, and the Baron's private collection of rare Arab, European and African musical instruments.

Rodolphe d'Erlanger acquired several beautiful houses in the village in order to restore them to their former glory. One of them, Dar Mohsen, became the town hall.

The palace itself is extraordinary: all the objects are arranged in such a way that one can quite imagine what life was like when it was still occupied. The palace houses a rich collection of Arabic manuscripts, art objects of Muslim handicrafts and paintings, including works of the baron himself, because not only was he a musician, he was also a painter. In addition the visit offers a beautiful view of the city of Sidi Bou Said and the port. Not to be missed!

Built on the hillside, it is part of the national heritage, as is the Café des Mats or the Chaabane. In the shopping street there are craftsmen and souvenir merchants, restaurants and pizzerias. To reach the village, you will have to leave your car on the parking lot, already attacked by the souvenir shops. Paved streets climb along beautiful houses for moucharabiehs purposes, graceful iron arabesques, and where all shades of bougainvilleas attract a happy eye.

Built at the end of the 18th century. The grandfather of Mr. Annabi, the current owner, was a mufti and people came to consult him at any time. Embellished and refurbished as a summer residence during the 20th century, this house is now a museum. The patio, in Andalusian style, has a fountain in its center. Some of the rooms are real museums showing the life of the past. There is still a prayer room, a library, a handicraft store and a large exotic garden. The reception is cold and it's a pity.

Centre dedicated mainly to ceramics, a collection of zelliges tiles. Very rare pottery from Guellala and Nabeul and many other riches of Tunisian crafts that you will find in the rooms of this ancient residence of character. From the terrace, the view is superb.