>City of Fès

Fes is the oldest of Morocco's imperial cities and an intellectual and artistic centre, pearl of the Arab world, Fes is the place of capital sensations.

As in Athens or Florence, this is where one can find the treasures of a civilisation or the inexhaustible splendour of a generous and unpredictable life, or the sensuality of the sun, the colours and the flavours. You'll definitely find what you're looking for in Fès.

No one here knows where the pleasures of the spirit end and where those of the senses begin.

The sophistication of its buildings and museums and its vitality make Fes a unique city which invites us on an infinite number of experiences.

The first capital of the Kingdom in 808 under Idriss II and then twice again in the 13th century under the rule of the Merenids and in the 19th century during the reign of Moulay Abdallah. It is the traditional spiritual and artistic centre of Morocco: Fès is many cities in one and has a unique splendour. Besides the European city built after the First World War, Fès doubles as Fès el Jédid ("the new") and Fès at el Bali ("the old").

In turn, Fès el Bali is divided into two distinctly different districts. In 818, the Andalusian district was founded by hundreds of Muslim families expelled from Arab Andalusian Spain by Christian armies, who settled on the right bank of the river. Seven years later, they were joined by 300 families ousted from Kairouan who settled on the opposite bank of the river. The Andalusian Arabs brought with them the learning and art of a civilization at the height of its glory. The Andalusian district is impressive for its splendour and number of buildings. As if the buildings were competing with one another for the best decorations: sculptured boiseries, engraved bronze, multi-coloured carvings, mouchearabiehs, columns and sculpted plasterwork...

A few steps away, the mighty door of the Andalusian Mosque invites the faithful to prayer. Easily identified by its green and white minarets, the El Sahrij Medersa (school) built in 1321 radiates in all its splendour. All the Medersas have a courtyard paved in marble or onyx that can be seen through the half-closed doors appearing like a temple of light. The sounds of the chanting voices of children drift from the open windows. The ties uniting a population to its culture, land and sky, matter and spirit can be felt vibrating like violin cords.

The imposing and splendid Mosque of al-Qarawiyyin with its bright roof of emerald tiles was built by the Kairaouine Fatima. It is the oldest university in the western world, even predating Oxford and the Sorbonne and is still one of the main intellectual centres of Maghreb. Its library, one of the largest in the world, contains 30000 volumes and a superb Koran from the 9th century. Founded in 857 and gradually extended until 1317, it is an act of faith, a dream of stone and religious fervour.

When the Merenids came to power in the 13th century, they found Fès el Bali too small to hold the buildings that would be worthy of their magnificence. So they built them outside the city walls adding gardens, mosques, Koranic schools and souks. This is how the new Fes or Fez-el-jédid was born. The great road of the Merenids and Alaouites Place are the heart of this district. Dar el-Makhzen, the royal palace with golden doors, opens onto the esplanade where the Rue Bou khessissat begins with its wooden and wrought iron houses.

A few hundred meters away, the Jewish cemetery with its immaculate tombs stands out as an oasis of silence in the midst of Mellah, the Jewish district. The metalworkers' shops are located in the very animated street of the Merenids that crosses this 15th century island. The Petit Méchouar surrounded by ramparts leads to the districts of Moulay Abdallah and Vieux Méchouar with its gardens. The gentle rustling of the leaves seem to be whispering the district's long and passionate history to all those who stroll beneath. Formerly used for royal parades, it looks out over the Bab Al Makina, now open to the public where you can find some of the best carpet weavers in the country. The modern city with its wide streets stretches to the south of Fes el Jédid, crossed from one side to the other by the Hassan II Avenue where the leaves and fountains interact with the light.

The visit to Fez is so enchanting that you want to visit it again. At dawn, the light climbs up the sides of the hills and, at dusk, the sun drenches the cascade of roofs and domes with ochre-red light. An imperial vision that is etched forever on the memory like an open invitation to return.

When one thinks of the gentle sloping roofs, and the Merenid tombs, you would never think that, in actual fact, Fes is a very lively town. The best way to discover its secrets is by foot, not too fast and with no particular place to go. Let yourself be transported by your senses. Soft wool, glasses of boiling hot tea, the smell of aromatic plants and brine in the souk of the grocers, the magic colours of the cotton skeins hanging from the souk of the dry-cleaners, the taste of kebabs and honey pastries, the noisy voices of men, deafening noises of utensils..Losing yourself in this labyrinth of streets, stairs, passages, blind turns and alleys is the best way to share the charm and authenticity of a jealously protected world.

Lakes with crystal clear water, deep green forests and majestic mountains of the Middle Atlas: the region of Fes reveals an unusual Morocco, unknown and sublime. Only a few kilometres are needed to go from the city noises to the peace and quiet of the large open spaces. Starting with the magnificent Fes golf course, a "concentrate of nature" cleverly designed by Cabell B. Robinson. Further on, the Barbary apes have fun performing acrobatics among the branches of the immense century-old cedar trees of the Atlas Mountains that accommodate the last remaining spotted panthers. Every hour of every season has a special colour and vibration: the snow white of winter, the pale green of spring, the light blue dawn, and the flaming twilight...

Imouzzer du Kandar
Perched at an altitude of 1345 meters, this charming Berber village breathes an air of profound peace, except on Mondays, the day of the souk. Visit the strange underground abodes of the Ait Serghouchen Kasbah. Take exciting trips in search of the springs that gush near the village. Climb up to the djebel Abad at 1768 meters, the peak of Kandar. Wherever you look, there's always a spectacular view! The calm plain of Sais, the flat roofs of Fès dotted with minarets, Meknès perched on top of a hill, the Rif mountains...

Sidi Harazem
The virtues of this hot magnesia water spring have been known since the era of the African Lion, Arab geographer of the 16th century. Today these waters dispense their natural benefits in the comfort of a modern spa resort. Between one glass and the other, an appointment at white Koubba of Sidi Harazem. An ancient sacred pool covered by a dome lies amid the eucalyptus, palm and oleander trees. Climb upwards to the gorges of Sebou where you can walk along the road admiring breathtaking views of Fès, the Rif, the Middle Atlas and the actual gorges, where the Wadi Sebou hollows out the path in the rocky limestone.

Ssfrou
Hospitable and tranquil, Sefrou languishes among the orchards at a height of 850 meters. Sheltered by the old ramparts, the winding streets cling to the rock. Head past the Koubba of Sidi Ali bou Serghine to embrace the wide green plain. Springs, rivers and waterfalls carry you into the kingdom of the "live" waters.

Taza
Founded in the 10th century by the Berbers, a passage forced by the fertile lands of the wadi and the steppa of the North, Taza was a rich and proud citadel. The old city that overlooks the modern city, is full of monuments, marvels and curiosities: the 12th century walls, the rampart of the ancient Kasbah, the wheat market, the souks selling mats, jewellery and carpets made in the mountains by the Béni Ouarain Berbers, the amazing minaret flaring from the Market mosque, Dar el Makhzen, the Great Mosque that contains one of the most spectacular oil chandeliers in Morocco forged in bronze with 514 cruets... The fascinating history goes hand in hand with the natural beauties. The region of Taza is magnificent. Forests of cork, cedar and giant ferns, springs, waterfalls and lakes, the djebel Tazzeka is so enchanting that is was consecrated a national park.

The Gourmet appointment.
The large capital of Fes is also the food and wine capital. It is the cradle of legendary and succulent "pastilla": a puff pastry which is light like a silk sheet that contains very delicate pigeon mince, sugar, almonds and spices.

The Blue Treasures of Dar-Batha.
Near the splendid Bou Inania Medesars, the museum of Dar-Batha is brimming with treasures. An admirable collection of the most beautiful ceramics in Morocco made by Fassis craftsmen. The famous "fes blue" usually acts as a background to the decoration which consists of an endless array of geometric patterns or different styles of motifs.

The Bottom of the Abyss.
The abyss of Friouato plunges for 180 metres. A ladder goes down until reaching an authentic underground palace. Halls and galleries seem to be inhabited by strange images. They are the stalactites, the stalagmites and the calcareous formations sprouting from the walls. A mineral fairytale.