Hi, chicks,
This concludes the series of articles on our stay in Morocco, with our arrival at Rabat station. It’s cooler than in the other cities, as Rabat is located on the Atlantic coast, and that’s not to our displeasure!
Rabat, the capital
I really enjoyed Rabat because it’s a very well-developed city. Crossed by the Avenue Mohammed V, it offers all visitors a pleasant and cheerful face. Many young people come here to study or work. The presence of a tramway makes it easy to access and visit the whole city.
After settling in, we headed for the Hassan Tower and the Mohammed V Mausoleum.
After taking lots of photos of this magnificent historic site, we headed for the Kasbah des Ouadaias and its ochre-colored gate. This is a former fortified military camp in Rabat, built in the 12th century. Since 2012, the kasbah has been listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
It’s a real pleasure to lose yourself in its blue and white streets and end up admiring Rabat from the heights of the kasbah while sipping mint tea.
The Chellah necropolis and the King’s palace
After a good night’s sleep in our hotel close to the station, we head for Rabat’s medina to stroll and meet local craftsmen before heading off to the Chellah necropolis.
My second favorite after the Kasbah!
Considered the most romantic place in the country, the Chellah necropolis is a place full of mystery, ideal for a stroll. It is located on the site of the ancient Roman city of Sala Colonia, 2 km southeast of the city center. Take a cab there. Inside the site, which has become a haven for storks and other well-cared-for animals (compared to the poor horses in the main squares), you’ll find a few tombs, a stone basin and a minaret.
If you’re short of time, I’d advise you to skip the royal palace tour, which I found lacking in interest as it was limited to a discreet peek at the imposing doorway of one of the King’s residences, at a respectable distance.
Finally: a little address for lunch
Before concluding our trip, i.e. taking the train back to Fez to return to Nantes, I’d like to share with you a little restaurant that we really enjoyed. It’s called La Pause Gourmet. Located right next to the station on the town’s only patio, the lady in charge welcomes you with a broad smile and invites you to sample… galettes! I guarantee that after a week of eating kefta dumplings, tajines and couscous, the galettes are much appreciated 🙂 Boss Mimi cut her teeth in Brittany and has since become a master in the art of making creamy galettes and crêpes. On presentation of the“Guide du Routard“, the owner offers you a delicious homemade fruit juice.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this trip and, above all, that it has inspired you to travel Morocco as we did on our road-trip by train. If you’d like any further information on hotel prices, tips or places to visit, please don’t hesitate to ask me any questions you may have. I’ll be delighted to answer any comments you may have.
See you soon for new adventures 🙂
