Things to see and do Casablanca

Maarif is the shopping area that women and girls love to walk around the weekend to shop for. We discover the popular facet of this ancient Italian quarter by Normandy street, where a succession of streets lined with jewellery, perfume shops, clothes and women's lingerie. This is also the case of bouis-bouis of pleasant neighbourhoods and good business. For the luxury signs and a European fashion, we will head on the other side, towards Al Massira Boulevard where international franchises are located such as Zara, Benetton at No. 24, Miss Sixty, at No. 7. It is also on this axis of the Twin Center. These famous twin towers, in order to orient themselves in the city, have a bar on the top floor where you have fabulous panoramic views over Casablanca. At the height of Zara, you can also reach El Messaoudi street, which houses a Levis store and other ready-to-wear stalls. It is located next to the Plaza d'Iris square, ideal for a coffee break between two shopping sessions. On weekends, Maarif is the fief, living and friendly, of cinema and relaxed women.

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.

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.