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Rabat

MEDITERRANEAN SEA

Saïdia

ATLANTIC OCEAN

5 Editorial Zagora 6 Rabat in history 8 Rabat, a majestic beauty 12 Rabat, a with its face to the 16 Rbati craftwork - excellence and sophistication 18 Rabat, cultural capital 20 Things to do in the city 22 Salé, the twin sister 24 The region 26 Information and useful addresses

MAURITANIA 4 5

Editorial

Rabat, city of elegance Rabat, capital of the Kingdom, is more than worth your attention – a city where tranquillity and discretion go hand in hand with sophistication and the art of good living. A resolutely modern town that has nonetheless preserved all its authenticity, its historical heart combines elegantly with its modernity. It stands proudly at the mouth of the River Bouregreg, its colourful yachting harbour a delight to the eye, its ochre-hued walls surrounded by brilliant green nettle trees with the cries of the seagulls as a background.

A beautiful city justifiably proud of its heritage, Rabat lives and breathes among wide boulevards and luxuriant parks. It is the country’s political and administrative centre and its seat of government, containing the royal palace and the embassies to the Kingdom, and the many fine edifices that adorn it bear magnificent witness to a history reaching back into Antiquity. It is also the cultural capital, with a plethora of museums and exhibitions, and acting as host to major international festivals that draw a wide audience. On the other side, on the right bank of the river, its twin sister Salé has preserved the memory of the corsairs of bygone days, leading you off into the maze of its medina in discovery of its mysterious past. Rabat, a city with its face turned resolutely Whether you’re coming to the city as a tourist, on business or to live, you will seawards find Rabat and its region a perfect setting for discovery, shopping and relaxation. Rabat, in all its elegance, guarantees visitors a royal welcome. 6 7

Rabat in history

Historical landmarks The earliest traces of humanity in Rabat In 1150, he helped with the fortifica- date back to the 8th century BC, on the tion of the , turning it into a present-day site of the . It was fortress that played a major role in the the Romans who gave the name to the conquest of and in control- place, a deformation of the Latin word ling the rest of the . This “Sala” meaning “”. They set up a edifice, the present Oudaya Kasbah, river there, which disappeared with was named “ al Fath” (Camp the fall of the . of Victory) in commemoration of the Almohad conquests. Berber tribes settled there, on lower ground on either side of the Bouregreg. In the In the late 12th century, the powerful 10th century, soldier-monks built a “ribat” Almohad sovereign Yacoub El Man- (fortified monastery) on top of a thirty- sour built the, in the of the Chellah metre cliff on the right bank of the river, image of the Koutoubia in Marrakech Entrance to the royal palace overlooking the an edifice that was later to give the city its and the in , and forti- mouth of the river name and from which Abd al-Moumen, fied the kasbah, surrounding it with founder of the Almohad dynasty (Berber two towering walls entered through tribes from the who had been five gateways. converted to ) led his holy war.

Yacoub El Mansour died before he It was not until the coming of the finished his work, and the city lost that the city regained something of its allure. The world’s its former glory. The Royal Palace, Dar- largest mosque, the Hassan Tower, al-Mahkzen, was built there in 1864 and was never to be completed. The end is still the place where all the Kingdom’s of the Almohad dynasty hastened the foreign guests are received as well as city’s decline. being the seat of government, where over two thousand people live and work. Although the Merinids chose as their capital in the 13th century, In 1912, Sultan Moulay Youssef they did not lose their interest in Ra- left Fez in favour of Rabat, making bat, building the Chellah Necropolis it ’s administrative capital. outside its walls. In the years that fol- Rabat has since become the country’s lowed, Rabat was gradually to become second largest urban area, the seat of a city of pirates. government and of parliament. View over the Oudaya Kasbah The pillar in Avenue de la Victoire, bea- ring the inscription “Sois le bienvenue au voyageur” (“Welcome, traveller”) 8 9

Rabat, a majestic beauty

Rabat has taken care to expand and tored and now serve as an exhibition develop harmoniously. Architectural ri- gallery. It was here, in 1960, that gour is apparent everywhere – wide tree- the first collective exhibition by Mo- and flower-lined boulevards, building roccan painters was held, testimony rarely more than five storeys high, and to the burgeoning of artistic creation administrative and residential districts in the field of modern painting. 200 where tranquillity reigns supreme. The metres further on, the Ambassadors’ “city of flowers”, as Marshal Lyautey Gate (Bab Essoufara) gives access to liked to call it, is also an authentic Mo- the , a vast square where the roccan city, the very opposite of a capital major celebrations in honour of the without a soul. If you need convincing, King take place and where the royal just make your way through the little palace also stands streets of its medina and the major roads through the new town. The Chellah: Sala The Chellah is located about 2 km from The wall that surrounds the the city centre and is made up of the Rabat, a stork’s paradise is entered through 5 monumental necropolis itself and the ancient city of Mohammed V esplanade stone gateways (Bab el Alou, Bab el Sala. The ruins, with their omnipresent Had, Bab Essoufara, Bab er-Rouah birdlife, nesting storks and wild vegeta- and Bab Zaërs). The largest of these tion, must be one of Rabat’s most arres- Almohad creations is Bab er-Rouah, ting features. Protected by an imposing its monumental sculpted stone fa- surrounding wall and accessed through a filled garden containing an ablutions nineteen naves, not counting its late- cade standing between two projecting monumental gateway, the necropolis is room, a zaouia with an oratory, the - ral porticos. It was on this site that the towers. Its inner rooms have been res- an oasis of tranquillity, a peaceful flower- adorned Merinid minaret, and a series of Mohammed V Mausoleum was built, in burial rooms. fitting tribute to the Nation’s liberator.

The Hassan Tower The Mohammed V Mausoleum The remains of the Hassan Tower The design and decoration of the Mo- bear witness to the size of what was to hammed V Mausoleum take one’s have been one of the largest places of breath away. This masterpiece of tra- worship anywhere in the . ditional Moroccan art, with its painted Its was abandoned upon woodwork, sculpted plasterwork and the death of its founder in 1199, and marble, and chiselled bronze, required the earthquake in 1755 caused all the know-how of the Kingdom’s mas- further damage. The mosque comprised ter craftsmen. Mohammed V’s tomb is a great courtyard laid out over deep, res- carved from a block of white onyx and tored cisterns and reaching to the foot stands in the centre of the edifice’s lower of the minaret, and an immense hy- level. Today, his two sons, the late King postyle room whose 312 columns and Hassan II and Prince Moulay Abdallah, 42 marble pillars were arranged to form rest in peace alongside him.

Changing of the Royal Guard The Hassan Tower 10 11

Rabat, a majestic beauty

The Oudaya Kasbah The Oudaya Kasbah is a haven of The museum exhibits rich and varied tranquillity, with its flower-filled little collections of jewellery, testimony to streets, Andalusian garden and Moo- the extraordinary expertise of Mo- rish café. The Oudaya gateway is built rocco’s craftsmen. of dressed stone and is regarded as one of the jewels of Almohad art. Most of The medina the remains still to be seen date back It takes its name from the Muslims who to the 12th century, and the kasbah were chased out of Spain in 1609-1610. contains Rabat’s oldest mosque. Its Passing through the Andalusian wall, minaret, adorned with small deco- you find yourself in rue Souiqa, between rative arcades, is most probably the two rows of shops selling traditional work of one of the first Alaouite so- craftwork. Rue Souk-es-Sebat is an ex- vereigns. From the ocean side of the tension of rue Souiqa and is a district of old semaphore-station platform at the dealers in fine leather goods, fabric sel- end of the main street, you can enjoy lers and . Along with these two superb panoramic views over Salé and streets, rue des Consuls is the busiest in the Bouregreg Estuary. the medina. It is lined with craftsmen’s workshops and fabric and carpet-sellers’ In the kasbah’s main square, a wa- stalls, and on Thursday mornings, you rehouse built in the late 18th cen- can witness the Rbati carpet auction. Architecture from the tury now accommodates a cooperative Narrow little alleyways have the habit of Mohammed V Mausoleum fountain days of the Protectorate where you can watch girls at work wea- opening out on to squares specialising in ving carpets. leather goods, ironware and woven fabrics The Oudaya museum was renovated – markets within the market. In such in 1995 and is housed in a residence hidden islets of activity, the craftspeople built for Moulay Ismail between 1672 work according to traditional methods, and 1694, and in which the sultan and the atmosphere is always warm and stayed during his visits to Rabat. welcoming. In the rue des Consuls If you want to discover a truly original aspect of the city, rue des Consuls has a fascinating tale to tell. From the 17th century up until 1912, all diplomats and representatives of foreign powers lived in the famous street, putting them just a stone’s throw from the slave market at its far end, where they could buy back compatriots who had been taken prisoner by pirates to be sold at auction. It was thus that rue des Consuls rapidly found its vocation as a centre for trade. From the end of the 16th century, the city, under the name of Salé-le-Neuf, included Rabat and excelled at its main activity – piracy. Its corsairs were notorious throughout Europe and held ruthless sway over the Atlantic waves as far as Cornwall, boarding and plundering enemy ships wherever they found them. Captured sailors were sold as slaves to wealthy families in the region. Christians were luckier, as they could be brought back by their countries’ diplomats, who had a budget available to them for this very purpose. The taking of Christian ships was the main source of Salé’s income, and it became Morocco’s leading port, keeping on with its pirating activities and continuing to make foreign ships tremble for several centuries.

Avenue Mohammed V 12 13

Rabat, a capital city with its face to the future

City of the future A symbol of the Kingdom’s renewed vi- self is a major player in the city’s life, tality, Rabat is a destination of choice providing a whole new range of leisure thanks to its top-quality tourist infras- activities – cruises, restaurants, and tructures, conference centres, restau- excursions along its banks, not to rants, relaxation areas, beaches, sports mention its top-of-the-line yachting facilities and nightlife. On the Cor- harbour for sailing enthusiasts. niche, you can sit in the shade on one of the many restaurant terraces and en- To make travelling around the city ea- joy a delicious lunch facing the ocean. sier, construction of two tramway lines with a total length of 22 km is underway, Resolute in its modernity, Rabat is and new road infrastructures have been implementing large-scale projects to launched, including the new Rabat-Salé make city life pleasant and easy. The bridge, the tunnel, and the bypass. A new town fully development of the mouth of the River The Kingdom’s capital will soon be boas- The marina equipped with modern Bouregreg is a case in point and will ting modern zoological gardens meeting infrastructures result in the appearance of new tourist all international standards. Apart from and residential districts, with creation its major mission of conservation of en- of further entertainment, relaxation dangered species, the zoo will be a centre and shopping facilities. The river it- for recreation and leisure activities.

Finally, the Corniche running along knowledge”, contains a wide range of Rabat’s Atlantic coast has much on faculties, higher educational establish- offer to attract visitors. ments and research institutes that at- Prestigious hotels, fine residences and tract thousands of students from Mo- business towers will soon be changing rocco and abroad. the face of the city, and other leisure facilities are planned for to meet your Rabat boasts 230 hectares of green every expectation, including a major spaces apart from the 1063-hectare shopping mall, cinemas, fitness clubs Maamora Forest. Thanks to its count- and a water theme-park. The new Cor- less gardens, such as the Ibn Sina Fo- niche will be the administrative capital rest, and the Belvédère, Triangle de Vue, of a tourist destination without parallel. Essais and Oudaya gardens (to mention only a few of the largest), Rabat was pro- A peaceful and harmonious city, claimed a “Green City” at international Rabat is also a student town, and level on Earth Day in April 2010. its university district, the “city of

Palais des Congrès, 14 15

The Andalusian garden and the Oudaya Kasbah 16 17

Rbati craftwork - excellence and sophistication

From Traditional crafts to ultra- taking an artefact home with you, modern shopping malls, via stores but also the memory of its creation. selling international luxury brand names, Rabat provides a thousand The traditional Rbati carpet and one ways to go shopping. This is an “urban” carpet, in contrast to the rural carpets woven in the At- Craftwork las Mountains. Fine in texture, with Rbati craftwork is renowned for short-pile wool and red in co- its finesse, with expertise inherited lour, the centre is decorated with a from Andalusian tradition. Rabat lozenge scattered with floral motifs. is a national centre for a range of A knot carpet made by women, the traditional skills. In the medina, the Rabat variety has gained a repu- A door typical of the old districts in which craftsmen’s tation equalling that of Salé pottery Rabat medina corporations once flourished remain carpets. There are close to 6000 places of exchange and meeting weaving looms in operation in the points for people and civilisations. region, either in craftwork coopera- You must go and find the craftsman tives or in the hands of individual in his workshop – you won’t just be producers. Embroidery Rbati embroidery is the domain of Traditional know-how has been on women, who practise their art on the the move since the opening of the traditional fabrics of cotton, linen El Oulja craftwork complex in Salé. and silk. They work in small groups, Over sixty Oulja potters are at work immobilising the section they are competing with one another in in- embroidering in screwed-down woo- genuity, adapting their products to den frames. “Rabat” embroidery today’s tastes without robbing them contains flat-stitched multicoloured of their authenticity - colourful ta- floral motifs. jines, miniature ornaments, decora- tive vases, lamps – you name it! Salé pottery Second only to carpet making, pot- tery making is regarded as one of the region’s oldest activities. Pieces of pottery have been discovered that date back to the earliest centuries of the Muslim era and to Roman times.

The Rbati carpet auction The delicate touch of Rbati embroiderers 18 19

Rabat, cultural capital

Rabat, capital of Every June, artists from all over Eu- Since its creation in 2001, the presti- rope come to perform at the festival, gious “ Rhythms of the World” attracting a wider audience with each Festival, which is held in May, has ta- passing year. A star player in the Kingdom’s artis- , a marble statue of ken its place among the world’s greatest tic and cultural life, Rabat is home brought to light during digs at Sala music festivals. Every year, artists from Andalusian music to a dozen or so international cultu- and a bust of II. over 40 countries in all four corners of Impossible to talk about Rbati culture ral institutes, a wide variety of mu- the world perform in a programme of without bringing up “Al Ala” Anda- seums (including the archaeological In addition, other infrastructures on a concerts lasting over a week and pre- lusian music, a form that developed museum, ceramics museum, Oudaya similar scale are getting ready for their sented in a variety of venues in the city. from the Arabo-Andalusian heritage museum, Barid Almaghrib mu- inauguration, such as the great na- Every evening, over 80,000 people come and which is perpetuated thanks to seum, museum and the tional museum of contemporary arts to applaud such great names as Stevie numerous centres and schools that Belghazi ethnographic museum) and keenly awaited by the country’s visual Wonder, , , have taken care to preserve the strict the legendary Mohammed V National artists, and a new institute of music Bilal and Aldi Méola, well and truly ma- rules of an unwritten music transmit- Theatre, which lends effective support and choreographic arts, equipped with king the city the capital of world music! ted orally from master to pupil. to the pursuance of the dramatic arts a full range of state-of-the-art tech- in Morocco. The National Library nological facilities. With all this to Rabat, capital of Jazz Fusion Al malhoune music meets the needs of scientific research its credit, Rabat stands firmly in the The Chellah Jazz Festival first saw the A true poetic art, malhoune is perhaps and is active in the conservation of the ranks of the Mediterranean Basin’s light of day in 1996 and is one of the better known nowadays by the name of Kingdom’s documentary heritage, an great cultural centres. pioneering events that helped popula- “quassida du ghazal”. Originating in essential part of its collective memory. Bust of Juba on “Al Ala”, Andalusian rise musical fusion in Morocco. The the Tafilalet region and the zaouias, it The capital can also be proud of its exhibition at the Rabat music from Rabat festival seeks to be a scene for artistic has been influenced over the centuries archaeological museum The city’s archaeological museum monumental Bab Rouah and Oudaya expression open to the Euro-Medi- by the rhythms of Andalusian music conserves collections unearthed from galleries, which mount exhibitions of terranean region and the world as a and popular songs, which gave birth digs carried out on sites throughout today’s best-known artists. The Bab whole, a meeting place for European to the “quassida”. Morocco. Its major exhibits include Rouah gallery regularly presents ex- and Moroccan jazz musicians. bronzes found in Volubilis, and hibitions by contemporary Moroccan Banasa, geometrical mosaics from artists – among others, Mohamed Chebaa, Hassan Glaoui, Labied Mi- loud, Mohamed Melehi and Farid Belkahia have all exhibited there on several occasions. And in addition to these two major centres of activity, the city boasts numbers of new facilities devoted to exhibitions and music, in- cluding the Villa des Arts, the virtual museum and a great many other gal- leries.

Apart from such major infrastruc- tures consecrated to the arts, the ci- ty’s cultural activities also include the hosting of a range of festivals drawing wide audiences from Morocco itself as well as from far beyond its borders. Doorway of the Bab Rouah gallery Mawazine, world music festival 20 21

Activities in the city

The Dar Es Salam Royal Club, Rabat - a chal- Created in 1971 by the King whose Sport à la carte lenge not to be ignored name it bears, the Hassan II Trophy Rabat has a whole range of physical as for paragliding and deltaplaning. Rabat’s Dar Es Salam Royal Golf Club rapidly became an unmissable ren- activities on offer for you to enjoy. On Tennis is also a favourite sport in Ra- has become a legend among golf enthu- dezvous for professional and amateur its beaches, there is no lack of clubs bat, which boasts a dozen or so clubs siasts everywhere. It is here that the world golfers who wanted to put their skills hiring out equipment and dispensing hosting national and international famous Hassan II Trophy is held. The to the test. Such world famous players lessons preparing you to confront the tournaments all year round. majestic course was designed by Robert as , , waves in style, whether you choose Trent Jones and inaugurated in 1971, its , surfing, sailboarding, jetskiing, sea Relaxation and lazing the splendid fairways making their way among and have all left their kayaking or pedal-boating. day away eucalyptus, palm trees, hyacinths, narcissi, mark on the tournament. If you’re enamoured of the great wide Rabat is also a top-quality well-being mimosas, papyrus and Roman columns. open, what better than to gallop the destination. The city abounds in ham- All along the course, colours and aromas The Trophy goes side by side with a Atlantic beaches, among dunes of fine mams, traditional and modern alike. mingle to create a truly unique playing ex- tournament for women players, the sand or through forests of age-old oak These “Moorish baths” comprise a se- perience. Open all year round, the Dar Es Princess Meryem Cup, trees? Rabat’s riding clubs will help ries of steam rooms at different tem- Salam Royal Golf Club has three different which is a stage in the Ladies Euro- you organise horseback treks suited to peratures and dispense a whole range The Hassan II Golf circuits on offer, ensuring that amateurs pean Tour. The Hassan II Trophy and “Rabat Jet Cup” your skills. Or if you like a bit of com- of massages and body and beauty Trophy and professionals alike can enjoy playing the their sepa- national jetskiing petition, how about a game of polo, treatments. In addition, the last few to the best of their ability. With its legen- rate identities as they are included in championship trying your hand at obstacle-jumping, years have seen the appearance of dary and altogether magical course, Ra- professional competitions. Encounters or taking part in a horse show? If numbers of magnificent spas, combi- bat’s Royal Golf Club has gained interna- between amateur golfers, such as the you’re looking for thrills, the Salé Ae- ning all the benefits of water, tradi- tional recognition as part of the European Friendship Cup during which celebri- roclub and the Oulja site make perfect tional beauty care treatments, and the Tour, one of the two most prestigious pro- ties play celebrities, are always organi- settings for seeing how well you can latest techniques to get you back on fessional golf tours in the world. sed alongside official competitions. handle light or sports aircraft, as well tip-top form.

The Dar Essalam Royal Golf Club Each year, Rabat hosts the “Week of the Horse” at Dar Essalam Royal Polo Club 22 23

Salé, the twin sister

The splendours of Salé mer Koranic school, the medersa, The city may be regarded as the ca- is now a museum. Its courtyard is a pital’s twin sister, but it possesses a fine example of the sophistication of culture and identity that are all its Hispano-Moorish art, with the convo- own. Its glorious past as a pirate repu- luted geometrical patterns of its cera- blic is increasingly evident with every mic marquetry and its finely sculpted step you take. Once within the walls stuccowork. A stairway takes you up that guarded Sale against attack by to the roof, where the terrace provides Spanish buccaneers in bygone days, fine views over Salé and the Boure- you find yourself walking through an greg, with the Hassan Tower in the authentic medina, its narrow little background. streets covered with thuja wood. From Souk Al-Ghazel square, the The candle procession auction market, to Souk El-Merzouk, Every year on the eve of (the which specialises in jewellery, visitors Prophet’s birthday), Salé dons its fi- wander from stall to stall in wonder. nest attire for the candle procession. On the city’s heights stand the great Decorated floats parade through mosque and the Salé medersa. The the city streets bearing the thirteen Arabo-Andalusian ar- mosque was originally built in the candles originally carried by the gon- View over the Sidi Boughaba Reserve chitecture: the medersa 11th century, and was renovated and doliers who once ferried people back Bou Inania in Salé enlarged in 1196 by Sultan Yacoub and forth across the Bouregreg. The El Mansour, who provided it with a procession has been organised for the over 200 hectares. More than 210 majestic minaret and a monumental last four centuries by a renowned re- The Exotic Gardens plant species flourish there – red juni- doorway decorated with foiled arches ligious brother hood, the Zaouia El A marvellously colourful journey around pers, oleasters, mastic trees, bulrushes sculpted from Salé stone. The for- Hassounia. the world – natural gardens drawing ins- piration from Brazil, Polynesia, Mexico, and yellow irises, to name only a few… Andalusia and Peru. Rehabilitation of A wide variety of animal species is also the Bouknadel Exotic Gardens in 2005 to be encountered in the reserve, in- was carried out in full respect of the ori- cluding hares, shrews, weasels, chame- ginal project created in the early 1950s, leons and over 205 species of birds. and it’s a real pleasure to visit them and discover the countless different species Plages des Nations and de Mehdia that flourish in the 14 gardens, and to The two beaches, Plage des Nations and wander along the maze of footpaths, Plage de Mehdia, are located almost 25 across suspended bridges and footbridges, km north of Rabat and are the birth- observing the birds in their aviary and the place of Moroccan surfing. Today, one fish and reptiles in the vivarium. of the most active surfing and bodyboar- ding schools in the Kingdom dispenses The Sidi Boughaba Reserve lessons there. Nothing remains of the The Sidi Boughaba Reserve is one Mehdia kasbah except its surrounding of Morocco’s most beautiful wild life wall, built by the Spanish in the early sanctuaries, comprising 450 hectares 17th century, and the monumental ga- of forestland including a lake covering teway edified by Sultan Moulay Ismail. The cannons of Borj “Addomoo”, Salé The Bouknadel Gardens 24 25

The region

Beaches to dream of South of Rabat, beaches reaching Both much prized by surfers, Skhi- as far as Bouznika provide endless rat and Bouznika beaches are famed stretches of sand, while a little further for their impressive waves and are south, a series of fine sandy beaches also ideal for jetskiing. A wide variety begins at the town of . of Atlantic fish, including bass and Starting with El Harhoura beach, bream, are put on sale at the Skhirat with its own microclimate and neigh- morning auction. Along the beach, bouring forest, then on to Sidi Al facing the sea, a row of pretty little Abed beach, Grand Val d’Or, Petit bungalows stands just a few metres Val d’Or and Sables d’Or – each one from the royal palace and the beach’s of them as beautiful as its neighbour luxury hotels. and equipped with all the necessary in- A fishing boat on Skhirat frastructures (games areas, restaurants The Mamora Forest Hotel infrastructures at Skhirat beach beach and first-aid posts), guaranteeing you Cork oaks and Eucalyptus flourish in a perfect day at the seaside. the Mamora Forest north of Rabat a

nature destination ideal for discovery A hunter’s paradise on foot and picnicking in the shade 30 km east of Rabat, the rural region of its trees. With its richly diversified of Ain Aouda and Zemmour Zaers is natural reserves, it constitutes a major a paradise for hunting enthusiasts, na- national forestland heritage. ture lovers and hikers. A forest cove- ring hundreds of hectares, along with The region’s lakes a remarkable variety of fauna (inclu- In the enchanting surroundings of the ding wild boar, pheasants, hares and town of lie the Dayet Rou- turtledoves) and flora attracts large mi lakes, among the most beautiful in numbers every year at the opening of the region and developed for tourism. the hunting season. You can enjoy a range of water sports on them and they also provide good fishing. The lakes are a major draw for jetskiing enthusiasts and a highly recommended destination for anyone in search of fresh air and relaxation.

The Mamora Forest 26 27

Information and useful addresses

Informations Pratiques Useful addresses and contacts: Entry formalities Moroccan National Tourist Office: A valid passport for a stay of less than Angle rue Oued El Makhazine et rue 90 days is required. An identity card may Zalaqa - Agdal suffice, depending on country of origin, Tel : 00 212 537 67 40 13/ 00 212 537 67 39 18 if the trip is organised by a travel agency Fax : 00 212 537 67 40 15 for a group of over 8 people. A visa is required for some nationalities – enquire Moroccan National Tourist Office: at a Moroccan consulate or diplomatic 22, rue d’Alger Hassan representation in your country. Tel : 00 212 537 66 06 63 No specific vaccinations are required Fax : 00 212 537 72 59 91 for entry into the Kingdom of Morocco. If you are bringing your pet along with Regional Tourist Office: you, however, you will need to be able to C.R.I, 23 avenue de la Victoire produce an anti-rabies certificate less than Tel : 00 212 537 77 90 77 6 months old. Fax : 00 212 537 77 63 88

Changing money: ONCF Railway station: Moroccan currency is the dirham, made up Call Center : 00 212 8 90 20 30 40 of 100 centimes. Foreign currency must Website: www..ma be exchanged at banks or other accredited establishments. Airport: Call center : 00 212 8 90 00 08 00 : Morocco is in the Greenwich time zone, Golf: Dar Essalam Royal Golf and time is G.M.T. Website: www.royalgolfdaressalam.com

Weather Forecast : www.meteoma.net Event Calendar: May: Mawazine Rhythms of the World Festival Office des Changes Mohammed VI International Athletics Meeting (Currency Regulator Authority): Moroccan Equestrian Trophy, Rabat www.oc.gov.ma June: Week of the Horse, Rabat Hassan II Golf Trophy, Rabat Emergency phone numbers: Chellah Jazz Festival Police 19 July: Karacena Festival, Salé Fire Brigade 150 Directory enquiries 160 12 Rabia al Awal – Feast of Mouloud: Road safety services 177 “Fêtes des Cires” (Candle Festival), Salé

For further information: www.visitmorocco.com Moroccan National Tourist Office www.visitmorocco.com