Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A Day in Taroudant
Morning
Though
Taroudant
resem-
bles a more ramshackle
Marrakech at first sight, it
has more of an African
than Arab identity. Unlike
most other Moroccan
cities, it was never under
French occupation and so
doesn't possess a
European quarter. Begin
your exporation of the city
on
Place El Alaouyine
,
known by its Berber name
as Place Assarag. Follow
Avenue Mohammed V
south of the square and
head east into
Souk
Arabe
, famed for its
antique shops. At the
souk's edge,
Boulangerie
El Widad
offers tasty
Moroccan pastries. South
of the main street, across
Place El Nasr is
Souk
Berbère
the main fruit and
vegetables market. Return
north up Ave Bir Anzarené
and take a right on Avenue
Moulay Rachid; sample the
tajines at
Chez Nada
.
Souvenir shops along the Tizi-n-Test Pass
the plains of the Sous to the
south is beautiful. There are
various souvenir stalls and small
cafés located on the pass itself
where you can stop and enjoy
the panorama.
d
Map B2
(
Taroudant
Built on the proceeds of gold
brought from the Sahara,
Taroudant was the capital of the
Saadian empire early in the 16th
century. Today, enclosed within
reddish-yellow walls, it
resembles a smaller, sleepier
version of Marrakech. It features
a grand kasbah that can be
reached by passing under the
triple-arched Saadian Gates, as
well as some foul-smelling
tanneries. You will also find two
excellent souks here, including
the Arab Souk, with its focus on
traditional crafts.
d
Map B2
)
Tichka Plateau
Afternoon
As you walk east on
Avenue Moulay Rachid
through an orange tree-
lined path, you will come
upon the triple-arched
Saadian Gates at
Bab El
Kasbah
. These lead to the
walled
kasbah quarter
built by Mohammed ech-
Cheikh who made it the
capital of the Saadian
empire. The poorest part
of town, it used to house
the governor's palace, now
the very chic
Hotel Palais
Salam
(see p93)
. Stop at
the hotel for a snack and
then make your way back
to the Bab El Kasbah. Hop
into one of the waiting
calèches and for a small
fee, do a circuit of the city
walls. You can take the
calèche back to Place El
Alaouyine or your hotel.
A highland plateau of
beautiful meadows, the Tichka
Plateau is found to the north of
Taroudant. Particularly striking in
spring when the wild flowers are
in full bloom, it's a fine place to
go trekking but best enjoyed
with qualified guides. Go to the
bureau des guides
in Imlil
(see
p89)
to arrange for one.
d
Map B2
91
