Ouarzazate, 'the silent city'

Ouarzazate, the gateway to the Great South, will transport you to the Moroccan desert's vast parched plains. At the confluence of the Drâa and Dades, not far from the Ziz, the landscapes are transformed into a kingdom of palm groves, orchards and gardens, but also regs and ergs. Above the valleys and at the gates of the desert, Ouarzazate is perched at 1160 m on the highlands of the Atlas. The city thus enjoys an exceptional climate for the region: winters are mild (about 15 °C), while in summer temperatures can exceed 35 °C! A trip not to be missed under any circumstances!

At the heart of the Saharan universe, former garrison city during the French protectorate, Ouarzazate is on the caravan route, between Marrakech and the Sahara. Crossroads of civilizations and peoples, the region has enjoyed for centuries great prosperity, trade and crafts particularly flourishing. Go on the road of the oases, to discover the kasbahs of adobe, guardians of the history and legends of the great South. Ouarzazate is the starting point for many excursions to the oases and large dunes of southern Morocco.

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Excursion to Ouarzazate

• The rue du marché, the rue de la Poste and the rue Mohammed VI delimit the city center, where the main shops, cafes and restaurants of Ouarzazate are concentrated. Take a tour of the Place du 3 Mars to enjoy the animation of its evenings. The city's souk is located on the outskirts of Mohammed V Avenue. For your purchases, go to the craft center of Ouarzazate. You can visit the workshops of stonemasons, copper and silver sculptors.

• Visiting Ouarzazate, go to the Kasbah of Taourirt, the former palace of the Pasha of Marrakech. It is located in front of the craft center, on the other side of Mohammed V Avenue. This colossal adobe building houses a real labyrinth of corridors and stairs, sumptuous rooms. In the fortified village of the kasbah, venture into the maze of shady alleys, the peaceful atmosphere is very pleasant.

• In the vicinity of Ouarzazate, you will meet many movie sets, set in the middle of desert plateaus. These are often reconstructions of villas, temples and ancient buildings used for the filming of peplums or other American production. The most interesting sets can be found in the atlas corporation's studios, which are easily spotted: monumental Egyptian statues frame the front door.

Hiking in the surroundings of Ouarzazate...

• On the way to Zagora, discover the Kasbah of Tamesla, the "stork fortress". It is located near the village of Tabounte, 2km from Ouarzazate. The site is the starting point for a charming walk in the surroundings, away from the tourist trails. Back on the road to Zagora, turn right after the bridge of Tabounte towards the kasbah of Tiffoultoute. From here you can admire a magnificent view of the entire Draa Valley. After 3 km, follow the track on your left. You will find yourself in the middle of a landscape of black rocks, on the pre-Saharan plateaus of the Anti-Atlas. Follow the course of the wadi and enjoy a wonderful walk in the gardens of Fint.

• To the east of Ouarzazate, you can take the road to Tinghir for about twenty kilometers. You will arrive on the shores of the large lake of El Mansour Eddahbi, at the foot of Jebel Kissane. The site is the starting point for many excursions in the surrounding area. Finally, go to the Great South, taking the kasbah road: go to M'Hamid where many expeditions in the desert await you...

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