RABAT Maroc
Where modernity meets tradition
Rabat, Morocco's capital city, offers a harmonious blend of modernity and tradition. It lies on the Atlantic coast, near where the River Bouregreg flows into the sea. Rabat is home to many kinds of fine traditional craftsmanship (carpet making, goldsmithery, leather goods, pottery, and many others) and also luxury goods stores, that line Mohammed V avenue in particular.
Regular flights between Rennes and Rabat via Paris CDG
Climate: Rainy from October to April, and dry from May to September.
Time difference with France: +1hr in France
Currency: Dirham
Travel documents required: French citizens need a valid passport, but no visa is required. Visitors to Morocco cannot enter with just a national identity card. No vaccination certificates are required for travellers from Europe or America.
Tourist information: www.visitmorocco.com and http://rabat-tourisme.org
The Chellah necropolis
The Chellah necropolis is an archeological site built on the ancient Roman city of Sala Colonia in Rabat. It consists of ancient tombs and ruins. The site is interesting for its history and is also a pleasant place for a quiet stroll.
The Mohammed V mausoleum
The mausoleum is located on Hassan Tower esplanade. This beautiful funereal monument is dedicated to King Mohammed V, the Father of Moroccan independence, and to his son Hassan II, King of Morocco from 1961 to 1999.
Hassan Tower
Hassan Tower is Rabat’s most famous monument. It was built in red sandstone, the stone used for royal palaces and religious buildings in Morocco. It was originally planned to be the world’s largest religious building, but was never completed due to the 1755 earthquake.
The Jardin d'Essais
Rabat is Morocco’s greenest city. It was listed as a UNESCO world heritage site for that very reason. It has many botanical gardens, and the Jardin d’Essais is one of the finest, with many different plant species and pleasant footpaths.
Local culinary delights
A typical Moroccan meal is a ceremonial occasion, when family and friends are invited to sit round the family table to share a traditional spicy couscous with different kinds of vegetables and meat. Each region has its own kind of couscous. Delicious pancakes with honey and sesame seeds or little almond cakes are served for afters with the traditional mint tea.
