Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
afford to carry out restoration work, but the authorities won't allow such an important building to be
torn down.
Turn left into Blvd Mohammed V and look out for an array of wonderful facades along the street's
south side. The
Central Market post office
(
Click here
), with its delicate motifs, and the
Le
Matin/Maroc Soir
building, with its classic style, are two of the most impressive. There are plans to
restore this entire area.
At the end of this block, on the corner of Rue Mohammed el-Qory, is
Petit Poucet
(
Click here
)
bar and pavement cafe, once frequented by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Édith Piaf and Albert Camus.
It's worth looking inside at the original bar counter. Turn left here into Rue Mohammed el-Qory to
find the
Cinéma Rialto
(
Click here
). Continue south to the junction with Ave Houmane el-Fetou-
aki and turn right to reach
Pl 16 Novembre
, home to art deco buildings.
For information on Casablanca's architectural heritage, see
Casablanca: Colonial Myths and Archi-
tectural Ventures
by Jean-Louis Cohen and Monique Eleb, and
Casablanca - Portrait d'une Ville
by
JM Zurfluh.
Activities
Hammam Ziani
HAMMAM
( 0522 31 96 95; 59 Rue Abou Rakrak; admission Dh45; 7am-10pm)
Sparkling clean and de-
cidedly modern, this is an upmarket hammam offering the traditional steam room and
gommage
(scrub) for Dh50, and massage, as well as a jacuzzi and gym. It's off Rue
Verdin. As is the case when visiting any public hammam, it may be better to leave your
valuables at your hotel.
Gauthier Bain Turc
HAMMAM
( 0661 14 59 26; 25 Rue Jean Jaures; Mon-Fri Dh50, Sat & Sun Dh60; 7am-10pm)
You'll find a
steam room, jacuzzi and gym at this ultra-modern hammam, where a scrub costs Dh15
and a 30-minute massage Dh100.
Spa 5 Mondes
( 0522 99 66 08;
www.cinqmondes.com/spa-cinq-mondes.html
; 18 Rue Ibrahim En-Nakhai, Maarif;
10am-8pm)
For a traditional hammam, a Japanese bath, a Balinese massage or an ayurvedic
treatment, head for this trendy spa.
HAMMAM
