Welcome to Morocco - Discover Meknes and Volubilis

Photos of Meknes

2011-10-31T04:12:00.000-07:00

Francois Struzik is a travel photographer that stayed with us in the riad during his visit to Meknes.

His blog now has an entry for 'The Imperial city of Meknes - Morocco'.
You can also see the photo gallery for Meknes here.

Be warned ... you start by viewing the Meknes photos but you will inevitably be urged to discover the rest of his fascinating work in his Simply Human travel blog.

Happy travels :-)

Traveller's blog

2011-10-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

I have just now chanced upon yet another Moroccan travel blog written by a guest who stayed at Riad Felloussia while in Meknes.

This travel blog photo's source is TravelPod page: Meknes

The blog is by an Australian traveller who uses Travelpod. He has written 17 travel blogs while travelling through 26 countries and posted over 1000 photos !
His comments about Riad Felloussia and Meknes are globally positive but he also provides useful insight into elements we yet need to work on.
He stayed in Suite Afrika and has posted several photos of the suite and the riad.

This travel blog photo's source is TravelPod page: Meknes

While in Morocco he stayed in Marrakesh, Fez and Meknes. You will also find interesting photos of the Roman ruins of Volubilis which are only 30km away frm Meknes.

If you know of any interesting blogs from people who stayed at Riad Felloussia in Meknes, please let us know so that we can establish a link to their blog.

Try Bastilla in Meknes

2011-03-18T02:42:00.000-07:00

While staying with us at Riad Felloussia, make sure you order one of our Bastillas. You'll have to tell Zohra and Nadia in advance as the preparation is quite long.

It is a sort of pie that offers sweet and salty flavours wrapped in a thin crispy crepe. The savory meat inside is slow-cooked in broth and spices before being shredded and then mixed with a crunchy layer of toasted and ground almonds, cinnamon, and sugar.

The traditional Moroccan recipe was made with young pigeons and some places in Meknes still claim to use them. In our riad we have opted for chicken as a replacement ;)

Once you've tried the original dish in Meknes you might want to have your friends tried it out at the end of your Moroccan tour so here is a link for the recipe : Bastilla Recipe

Destination Meknes

2011-01-13T11:36:00.000-08:00

If you run out of ideas for places to visit, there is the perfect website for you. Idee-voyage.info provides a wide range of fascinating holiday destinations. Just by browsing their site you are already tempted to pack your bags and get going.

And guess what ? Their latest destination of choice is the region of Meknes, Volubilis and Moulay Idriss ! Now is that a proof of quality content or what !

Riad Felloussia in Spanish

2011-01-07T11:56:00.000-08:00

We have just put up a Spanish website ;) All comments are welcome !

InMeknes.com

Bienvenido a Riad Felloussia en la medina de Meknes. Nuestro riad ha sido cuidadosamente restaurado edificio de estilo tradicional con methodsand artesanos locales.
El patio principal está construida con cedro auténticas vigas y tiene una fuente de azulejos con una base de mármol que da al jardín interior. El pequeño patio es de un estilo muy diferente, con paredes de cal y enormes arcos de ladrillos de arcilla.
Tres amplias suites están disponibles para nuestros huéspedes y también un comedor y una sala de estar.
Las suites están ricamente decoradas con artesanía local y cada uno tiene un estilo único. Nuestra terraza ofrece una vista espectacular de la plaza principal de Meknes y que se encuentran sólo unos pocos cientos de metros de Bab Mansour y el museo de Meknes

All about Morocco

2010-12-22T06:35:00.000-08:00

When travelling to Morocco it is always good to read up as much as you can about what you are heading into. Apart from all the printed press that offers wonderful insight into Moroccan destinations, the internet can be a very useful source of information. The website HeyMorocco was brought to my attention when they recently contacted us about an interview dealing with Riad Felloussia and Meknes. The fact that they showed interest in our riad is of course a proof of quality content ;-)
This site offers information about all the major Moroccan cities : Agadir, Casablanca, Chefchaouen, Essaouira, Fez, Marrakesh, Meknes .....
You will also find an informative blog, videos and photo galleries for each destination.
Happy travelling !

Low cost flights to Fez

2010-11-06T16:33:00.000-07:00

Low cost companies are continuing to increase the number of flights to Fez international airport and with the project for a second terminal well under way, this trend should make it even easier to come to Meknes. Many of our guests come in through Rabat, Marrakesh, Casablanca or Tangier but Fez is by far the most convenient to reach our riad.

Here are a few examples of low cost companies flying to Fez :

Ryanair
Over a dozen regular lines to Fez with prices that are sometimes hard to believe. They may one day end up paying you to fly to Morocco. Fly to Fez from London, Paris, Brussels, Milan, Rome, Seville, Alicante or Frankfurt.

London to Fez from 16€
Brussels to Fez from 14€
Madrid to Fez from 6€

EasyJet
They will open their first line from Paris Charles De Gaulle on the 11th. Great to see Easyjet opting for Fez ;)

Paris to Fez from 30€

Jet4You
Regular flights from Paris and Brussels.

Brussels to Fez from 20€

Once you arrive in Fez, we can organize your transfer to Meknes. The airport is less than an hour away from the riad and we will have a driver waiting for you at arrivals.

Rent a car in Meknes

2010-10-17T10:11:00.000-07:00

Guests coming to Riad Felloussia often enquire about renting a car during their stay in Meknes and I have to say that our reply has varied over the years. I think the market is adapting to the tourism industry in Morocco.
A few years ago it was quite easy to rent a car but you had to be careful with the quality of the vehicle you were renting. Recently the quality of the cars has greatly improved but the conditions required have become almost impossible for most tourists coming through Meknes. The actual rental price is quite cheap (from 25 Euros) but it's not that simple.
If you wish to rent a car in Meknes, you will be required to make a cash deposit of at least 1000 Euros. This is a minimum and some companies ask for double that sum. The only alternative is to leave your passport as a deposit so this can only be a solution if you just want to tour Meknes or go to surrounding sites like Volubilis, Fez or Azrou for example.
Another hindrance is that if you rent your car in Meknes, you will have to deliver it in Meknes which is not suitable for most of our guests who plan to go on to other Moroccan cities.

There are several alternatives to this :
If you really wish to take a car from Meknes, you have the possibility of renting the car with a driver. While this solution is slightly more expensive it has the advantage of allowing you to abandon the car anywhere along your Moroccan tour. Most importantly, it means that you won't have to make such an enormous deposit and won't be responsible for any damage suffered by the vehicle on the often harsh Moroccan roads.
Another solution is simply to contact us beforehand at the riad so that we can organize a taxi for you. Rates are very reasonable for taxis in Morocco.
Finally, unless you plan to head to the south of Morocco, you will find that trains are extremely reliable and cheap and will easily get you from one imperial city to the next.

Here are a few places renting cars in Meknes if you wish to contact them :
Meknes Car - http://www.meknescar.net
Easy Loc Car - http://www.easyloccar.com
Rizana Car - http://www.rizanacar.com

Meknes blogs

2010-09-29T07:03:00.000-07:00

How pleasing it is that Meknes is attracting more and more visitors. And as a result there are also more and more great blog articles being written about our wonderful imperial city.
Here are just a few examples of blog articles written about Meknes while people were touring Morocco :

Mint Tea and Tagine is a wonderful Moroccan blog which explores various parts of Morocco and offers delicious recipes. Their photos are really very colourful and inviting but unfortunately they are protected so I wasn't able to pinch any to illustrate this post ;)
I was particularly pleased to see that they were impressed by our food market in Meknes and considered it 'by far one of the nicest in Morocco'.

Travels with Sheila seems to cover the whole wide world but has at least a dozen articles about her trip to Morocco. Among those you will find fabulously entertaining posts about Meknes, the souks, the granaries, the imperial city and Volubilis. You'll also find an article about their stay in a riad in Meknes (not ours !) but you don't have to read that ;)

Hey Morocco is a whole collection of Moroccan blog articles but the one that attracted my attention was posted by Kathryn Nevels who describes her progressive contact with the medina of Meknes which has become one of her favourite hang-outs.

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Horse riding near Meknes

2010-09-17T11:56:00.000-07:00

While visiting Meknes you might want to try some horse riding in the country side. Ranch Ain Soltane is only a short drive from Meknes and offers all types of riding activities. If you prefer, they will even come to pick you up in your riad in Meknes. Salah and Paule invite you to discover the landscapes around Meknes by choosing a 1 hour, 2 hour or half day outing. You can also opt for longer excursions from two to ten days on horse back.

Their 5 day tour will take you to Moulay Idriss, Volubilis, Ain Jemaa, Ain Sellama and Agourai. The longer tours can start either from Meknes or Azrou. Prices are very reasonable and you are sure to live an unforgettable experience.

In and around Meknes

2010-09-13T02:03:00.000-07:00

If you would like to see more photos of Riad Felloussia, Meknes and the surrounding sites, you will find a collection of albums on our Flickr page.
Several photo albums are dedicated to traditional arts and crafts in Meknes (Damasquinerie, forged metalwork, sculpted plaster, woodwork and decorative tiles).
Of course you will also find photos of the rooms and suites in our riad. These include photos of the riad before we started the renovations a few years ago.
Photos of sites in Meknes (El hedim square, Bab Mansour, the imperial city) and in the region (the roman ruins of Volubilis, Azrou) are also located on this page.

South of Spain

2010-09-02T13:36:00.000-07:00

How tempting it is, once in Spain, to go just that one step further South ....
And why should you hesitate ? It's not a question of time or money. Just the desire to plunge into another very different environment. The kingdom of Morocco.
In fact, your Moroccan expedition could very well become a daytrip and cost you less than 70 Euros !
Ferries run frequently from Almeria, Tarifa, Barcelona and Algeciras. In Morocco, most ferries go to Tangiers but you can also opt for Melilla, Ceuta or Nador. There are many companies offering to take you on your first trip to the African continent and you can book online or simply turn up on the shores of Southern Spain to wait for the next boat. As an example, you could look into FRS which is always fast and reliable.
If after this you are still hesitating, I strongly recommend you read Richard Green's article in The Sunday Times about his Moroccan ferry crossing.
I started this post by saying that Morocco could be a very short trip from Spain but I hope that won't stop you from taking the time to come to see us a little further South in Meknes. And once you head back, don´t forget holiday rentals Spain to find your perfect house to rent.

Win a stay in Meknes with your travel blog

2010-06-15T10:24:00.000-07:00

The internet is full of wonderful travel blogs which give you a personal insight into destinations that you can get nowhere else.
This is why we have decided to offer a free stay for travel bloggers in our riad in Meknes. Winning bloggers will be offered a two night stay in Meknes and also a welcome meal for their arrival in the riad.

This month's winner is Tony Begbie from Australia. His blog 'Classic Travel Adventures' offers a wonderful account of his trips around the world : Japan, Israel, Iran, India, Spain, Mexico, Taiwan, Turkey .... and so many others that I can't even list them.
After a career in advertising, he has now decided to concentrate on travel reportage.

We look forward to having Tony stay with us in Meknes as soon as he can plan a trip to Morocco.

If you would like to suggest your blog to win a stay in Meknes please place a link as a comment or better still, write to me at contact@riadfelloussia.com

To the left of this blog {-------- you will find a poll where you can vote for the best travel blog ;)

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Bab Mansour

2010-06-14T01:48:00.000-07:00

This great gate is famous worldwide. It is one of the greatest works of Moulay Ismail, and the largest gate in North Africa. It is ranked among the four most beautiful doors in the world. Please don't ask me who made up this list .... I have no idea !!

It apparently bears the name of its Christian architect who converted to Islam, "the Victorious Renegade" known as Mansour Laalej. It was completed in 1732.
The total height of the door is about 16m, the opening of the arch is nearly 8m. The main rectangular room is also of vast proportions. Nowadays the gate is closed off on one side and used as an art gallery or exposition hall. It is at the south end of El hedim square and just opposite our riad.

Dar Jamai Museum

2010-06-11T07:30:00.000-07:00

Dar Jamai is a palace built in 1882. It is situated at the North end of the main square of the medina, El Hédim. You can see the entrance from the terrace of our riad.
It took two years to build this palace. While building it, the Vizir fell ill and had to leave Meknes to go for treatment in Fez, where he undertook the construction of another palace that also bears the name Palais Jamai.
A visit of this enchanting palace will take you through the various areas that constitute the architectural ensemble ‘Dar Jamai’. The first area on the ground floor includes the patio, the bedrooms and kitchen. The museum itself can be found in the larger lounge rooms and on the top floors of the palace. This sector has all the traditional crafts of the city of Meknes: carved cedar wood and painted furniture and architecture, Meknes embroidery, kaftans and belts, urban jewelry, Meknes ceramics, brassware, ironware and damascene metalwork.

If you click on the panorama above, you will take a virtual visit of the patio of this palace in Meknes. It is a wonderfully fresh place to visit during the extremely hot Moroccan summers. Make sure you observe closely the intricate metalwork and woodwork on the enormous doors.

Destination Meknes

2010-06-01T10:08:00.000-07:00

Here is a great review for Meknes that I found on Earthtimes.org :

Meknes, Morocco - Surrounded by peacefully undulating green hills, the northern Moroccan city of Meknes offers travellers a trip back in time in the framework of imperial grandeur. Located on the edge of the Atlas mountains, the city of nearly 1 million residents is lesser known as a tourist destination than Marrakech, Agadir or Fez.
It is, however, becoming increasingly popular among visitors to the north African kingdom where their numbers have doubled to about 8 million annually since 2001.
The massive, elaborately ornamented Bab Mansour gate opens into the 17th-century imperial city built by Moulay Ismail, the second sultan of Morocco's ruling Alawite dynasty, a legendary, ruthless and efficient ruler who has left his mark nearly all over the city. Moroccans visiting the sultan's imposing mausoleum hope to benefit from his healing and blessing powers that still linger in its chambers and courtyards decorated with ornamental carvings, colourful tile and stucco work. Stories about the sultan ranging from his 12,000 horses - remains of the stables and granaries are still standing - to his infamous Black Guard and his love of women are told again and again by young men who offer to show tourists around.
The daughter of France's Sun King Louis XIV, however, declined to marry a man who already had about 500 wives, the story goes. The Alawite dynasty has retained a presence in Meknes, with centuries-old sand-coloured walls hiding, not only the remains of Moulay Ismail's palace, but also one of the residences that Morocco's current King Mohammed VI has around the country.
When the monarch was due to visit the city to open an agricultural fair in April, his arrival was the talk of the town. Several weeks beforehand, some of the old city walls were restored, and a huge picture of Mohammed VI was displayed on the central el-Hedim square, where large crowds gathered to listen to music bands. "We are going to celebrate for weeks," in honour of King Mohammed, a local man said. Direct criticism of the monarch, who retains vast powers, remains a taboo in Morocco, where many ordinary people still consider him an almost legendary figure.
The hustling and bustling streets of modern Meknes are a far cry from the times of Moulay Ismail, but the medina or traditional part of town, retains an atmosphere of bygone times. Many of the countless little shops and stands lining the labyrinthine streets are now bursting with industrial goods, but it is as easy to find spices or medical herbs displayed in open sacks as self-made perfumes, soap or incense.
The medina still has a traditional caravan stop, where Amazigh (Berber) merchants leave their donkeys on the inner courtyard and rent rooms overhead when bringing their carpets, embroidered tablecloths, jewellery and other goods to market. The medina also has entire neighbourhoods full of small workshops where craftsmen carve and paint furniture, wall and roof panels, weave thread or cloth, embroider clothes, encrust silver thread into decorative objects or bend silver into jewellery or working iron.
The star-like motifs painted on some of the panels are centuries-old, and can also be found in neighbouring Spain, where Muslims who were partly of Moroccan origin governed large areas more than 500 years ago, one of the craftsmen, Hassan Ismaili Alaoui, explained.
Craftsmen from Meknes were among the thousands of artists who participated in decorating the Hassan II mosque in Casablanca, billed as the third-largest in the world, which was built on money collected from all citizens and completed in 1993. While some Moroccans resent having had to contribute financially to the grandiose project of the late King Hassan II, others acknowledge that the royal family has helped to promote crafts by decorating buildings in the traditional style and by wearing traditional clothing. "Many of my clients are wealthy Moroccans," who follow the royal example, Alaoui said.
Morocco is now trying to modernize and diversify its crafts tradition, with a programme adopted in 2006 providing training for hundreds of craftsmen annually in the use of modern techniques.
Other aspects of life in the Meknes medina, however, have remained untouched by time. Women can be seen carrying trays of unbaked loaves of bread or cookies to rooms housing communal ovens, where bakers place them on spade-like wooden instruments and push them into the blackened oven crackling with flames. In a cave-like chamber located under the floor of the communal bath or hammam, the fire keeper crouches in front of an oven, stuffing sawdust inside to heat up the hammam where tough washerwomen are scrubbing their female clients clean and treating their hair with the rhassoul mud. Every neighbourhood in the medina has a mosque and a Coranic school. Some have mausoleums of local saints where people gather to pray on Fridays.

Trailer for FICAM 2010

2010-05-25T13:30:00.000-07:00

The FICAM is one of the major cultural events in Meknes. It is an opportunity to gather, each year, animated film directors from Morocco and the international scene. This year the festival attracted even more spectators for its tenth edition with a record high 22,000 spectators. The animated films were projected in unique and historical locations all over Meknes.

The most spectacular screening is always on the main square of the medina of Meknes, El Hedim. This is just below the walls of Riad Felloussia, so if you are lucky enough to be among our guests at that period, you get the best seats in town.
For your entertainment, I have included the trailer for the festival in this post. Watch the little rolling stone travel around and discover Meknes. All the elements which make Meknes unique have been cleverly been integrated into this short 50 second clip. The stone walks by Bab Mansour but finds it closed. To find the key to this historical monument, our little stone will have to cross the entire imperial city while chased through the streets of the medina by a little tea pot. Vivid colours, little taxis, creative coloured tiles, horse drawn carts : it is a lively little portrait of the smallest imperial city in Morocco. Don't forget to put the sound up !

Meknes in the 1930's

2010-05-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

I just came upon a blog which is unfortunately not updated anymore but which offers great photos of Meknes in the 1930's. Our riad is almost in the shot of El Hédim square, I wish I could find others like it. This old bus getting ready to head from Meknes to Casablanca is my favourite ;) Local buses today are still an adventure but not quite like this one ! You can see the driver resting his legs on the door and the log of wood used to make sure the bus doesn't set off on its own.

Royal golf course of Meknes

2010-02-10T00:36:00.000-08:00

The Royal golf course of Meknes (9 holes) was inaugurated in 1969. It is astounding in that it is located in the gardens of the royal palace so that it is completely enclosed within the enormous imperial walls.
It has recently been opened to the public. Even non-players can enter the grounds and access the club house for a drink or a meal. The golf course is just behind Bab Mansour near the Mausoleum. It is only about 500 meters from Riad Felloussia. You can take a one hour lesson for as little as 15 Euros with equipment included. It has lighting so you can even play at night ! Just another good reason not to miss Meknes while you are visiting Morocco ;)

Official website : royalgolfmeknes.com
360° visit : panoramaroc.com

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Low cost flights to Fez

2010-01-14T13:51:00.000-08:00

Just a little reminder that you can fly into Fez very cheaply with low cost companies like Ryanair. Once in Fez it is only 50 kilometres to reach Meknes and our riad. As an example, you can leave Madrid after work on a Friday evening and be in Meknes a few hours later savouring a delicious tagine in the old medina.

You can also fly to Fez airport from the following cities with Ryanair : Seville, Alicante, Girona (Barcelona), Marseille, Milan (Bergamo), Brussels (Charleroi), Dusseldorf (Weez) or Frankfurt-Hahn.
Here are a few examples of amazing prices that you can check on r yanair.com :
Seville - Fez = 9 Euros (8th Feb)
Madrid-Fez = 8 Euros (1st Feb)
Brussels-Fez = 25 Euros (24th March)
Dusseldorf-Fez = 25 Euros (1st March)
Milan-Fez = 10 Euros (9th Feb)
If you wish we can organize a transfer directly from the airport in Fez to our riad in Meknes. It's never been easier to travel to Morocco !

No, the duck plane is just a joke. They don't have those in their fleet yet. At least I hope not ;-)

SIAM 2010

2010-01-10T12:45:00.000-08:00

The dates for this year's big agricultural fair in Meknes have been published. The SIAM 2010 (Salon International de l'Agriculture du Maroc 2010) will take place from the 28th April to the 2nd May. Professionals will be setting up their stands as early as the 28th and the show will be open to the public as of the 30th April.
Here is the official website if you wish to book a stand :
http://www.salon-agriculture.ma
Here is a press article from 'La Gazette Du Maroc' which explains how successful the previous edition was. Apparently most companies make up to 40% of their yearly sales during this fair :
http://www.lagazettedumaroc.com/articles.php?r=5&n=622
Finally, Here is an extract from the Moroccan television 2M which deals with the 3rd edition of the SIAM :
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x59rhv_grand-succes-du-siam-a-meknes_webcam

Lehdim Square

2010-01-08T15:19:00.000-08:00

Lehdim or El hedim square is the center of activity for the medina of Meknes. It is at the junction between the old medina and the Royal Palace and the imperial city. At one end of the square is the famous gate Bab Mansour which is in many ways the symbol of Meknes and also one of the main tourist attractions. At the opposite end, to the north, is Dar Jamai museum which houses extraordinary pieces in an even more amazing palace.
The western side of the square is a covered market which is absolutely fascinating. You will find fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry, bread and cakes, druit fruits and spices of all types but also live turtles and cameleons !
Our riad is on the eastern side of the square and our terrace offers an ideal view of all the activity below.
The square gained its name when it was used as a deposit for building materials and rubble of all sorts when the imperial city of Meknes was being built by Moulay Ismail. I have been told 'place lehdim' means 'the square of rubble' or 'the square of demolition'. A lot of the building materials taken from Volubilis to build up the imperial city were stored here.
Throughout the years, the square has adopted many aspects and functions. I have seen photos where it was a gateway into the medina with merchants on all sides. In other photos it was used as a car park. All types of trees, fountains and lamp posts have been placed there. Three years ago, I witnessed its latest metamorphosis. It is now a large paved open space.
Its aspect changes throughout the different periods of the year and also of each day. In summer it is a bustling market with restaurants, orange juice vendors and story tellers. During the day, it is an ideal place to have a light snack or some mint tea and observe the rhythm of life in the medina of Meknes.

This view is from the terrace of Riad Felloussia

You might also find interesting the following links :

Meknes Today - a new site dedicated to Meknes that just popped up on the internet.

Meknes, On the Traces of Marrakech - Great article in the North Afrika Times

Photo Gallery - By Alfred Molon in Germany

A great review

2010-01-06T15:15:00.000-08:00

Thank you Carrie for this wonderful review :

This riad was simply amazing. We were only in Meknes for a few days, but we hope to go back soon. We are Americans living in Europe, and we've traveled quite a bit--this is one of the best places, or perhaps the best place we've ever stayed in.
Lionel sent very detailed directions from the train station, and Zohra met us at Bab Mansour to lead us to the hotel. It was our first time in Morocco but we still had no trouble following the instructions. I love the location--very close to the action but off the beaten path, so it felt like we were really experiencing a new culture. We slept in the Suite Toubkal, which was amazingly beautiful. The furnishings are gorgeous and the bed was very comfortable. We have a 2 year old and a 5 year old; the staff made up a bed for the 5 year old each night on the first floor, and a pack and play for the baby. My kids loved exploring the riad and playing with Zohra. The hospitality and charm could not have been better.
The food was also incredible--we ordered dinner for our first night and ate until we were stuffed, and then some, because the food was just amazing. We had 4 or 5 salads with bread, our main courses, fruit, a small tray of pastries, water and tea. The food was an excellent value. It may seem like you can eat for less in the square but when you add drinks and extras, you really can't do better than the prices offered by the riad. Plus the quality of the food is just not comparable, as was the convenience of eating at the riad, not feeling rushed, and the freedom to allow our children to play while we ate. We enjoyed it so much that we opted to have dinner there on our last night as well. You can't go wrong with any of the meals offered, but we had the pastille, couscous, beef and prune tagine and chicken lemon tagine. All were spectacular.
Zohra is a very gifted chef. She prepared a fresh breakfast for us daily as well, and each day we had a different bread. Again, we ate until we thought we couldn't eat any more, and we found room for more delicious food. We were also able to order tea during the day. There is a wonderful cozy common area with a television, games, and lots of movies and books available.
Payment is cash only but there is an ATM in Bab Mansour, a short walk away. My five year old loved walking to the square with me and stopping for bread, nuts, dried fruits and yogurt along the way.
In short--don't miss this riad. It was simply amazing and, inshallah, we will return soon.

Meknes wine production

2009-12-24T03:49:00.000-08:00

Moroccan wine seems to still be going strongly. I was pleased to discover that the BBC has written a long article on wine production in Morocco and more particularly Meknes.
They visited Chateau Roslane which produces the only AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) in Morocco and also a special Moroccan 'Champagne'.
In this article you will also find a brief history of wine in Morocco, a video filmed just outside Meknes and news of development with a bottling factory planned in China !?! Talk about globalization !
So make sure that on your next trip to Morocco you try some of the excellent local production ;-)

Suite Chouka

2009-12-07T06:52:00.000-08:00

Suite Chouka is located on the first floor of the riad. It is a very long room with a small lounge and separate storage area. The forged metal window offers a great view of the garden in the center of the riad. All the furniture is made of cedar wood sculpted by craftsmen working in Meknes. The clay tiles are from the Meknes furnaces that have recently been moved out onto the road to Tangiers because they were supposedly making too much smoke in town. You can still see them work the clay now but the site is not as attractive as the traditional site was. The little coloured tiles were brought in from Fez as for some reason the ones made in Meknes chip away very easily.

The vast bathroom is decorated with Bejaad marble from the south of Morocco. The sink is sculpted in fossilised marble also from the south near Rissani, Erfoud and Merzouga.

Rates : 80 - 100 Euros depending on the period of the year.
Breakfast and taxes are included

Special Christmas offer !!

2009-11-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

For all bookings of three nights or more confirmed between the 1st and 31st of December 2009 we will offer a free meal for 2 people. The booking can be for any period between the 1st January 2010 and 31st March 2010.
In order to benefit from this offer the request must be made directly by email at : contact@riadfelloussia.com
This offer is not available if booking through a third party.

Guests travel blog

2009-11-07T04:03:00.000-08:00

What a great idea to create a blog about your holidays in Morocco. Here is the link to a blog created by guests who stayed in our riad while in Meknes in October.

It is really interesting to read about people's impressions of Morocco, to see how things are perceived and also how people are treated as tourists. I think reading about other people's experiences can help to prepare your trip not only on a practical level but also on a psychological level.

'Farsickness' not only has a great title and photos of Meknes, Fez and Volubilis but is written with a lot of humour. You will find useful travel information for Morocco and a very pleasant review of our riad in Meknes. Thank you Erika.

Meknes on the web

2009-10-26T03:15:00.000-07:00

While following a few links on the web, I came across Lonely Planet's list of places to visit in Morocco.
I was already aware that Fez had been promoted as their favourite destination but I just discovered that Volubilis was ranked number 4 and Meknes number 14.
Now with Tangier at number 5, Asilah at 6 and Chefchaouen in 8th position it would seem that the North of Morocco is very well placed as one of Morocco's top tourist destinations. This combined with the ever growing number of flights coming into Fez leave me to wonder just how far it can go.
Time will tell.

I also came across a very convincing blog article about living in and leaving Meknes by Jillian C. York. Really worth reading !

Riad Felloussia in German

2009-10-04T14:22:00.000-07:00

Another happy surprise. Oasen-der-sinne.com has just written the first review for our riad in German :

Inmitten der Medina von Meknes liegt das bezaubernde Riad Felloussia. Von der Terrasse haben Sie einen beeindruckenden Blick auf den Platz El Hedim und das Bab Mansour, das wohl berühmteste Stadttor Marokkos. Das kleine traditionelle Riad Felloussia hat nur 5 Räume und kann Ihnen so absolute Ruhe und einen exzellenten Service bieten. Sie werden hier die herzliche Gastfreundschaft Marokkos erleben.

Die Suiten sind im marokkanischen Stil eingerichtet. Sie werden antike Holzarbeiten und feine regionale Metallarbeiten in den Zimmern finden. Das Badezimmer der Suite Ouzoud ist im ehemaligen Hammam des Riads untergebracht. Afrikanische Schätze, die das Riad Felloussia über Jahre gesammelt hat, erwarten Sie in der Suite Afrika. In der Lounge der Suite Toubkal können Sie dinieren. Es ist auch möglich, dass hier zwei zusätzliche Schlafplätze eingerichtet werden, wenn sie beispielsweise mit Kindern kommen möchten.

Nur wenige Schritte vom Riad entfernt finden Sie den königlichen Palast, die Medersa und das Museum der Stadt. Oder machen Sie einen Tagesausflug nach Volubilis, Fez oder Azrou, bei dessen Planung Ihnen die Mitarbeiter des Riads gern helfen werden. Nach einem turbulenten Tag erwartet Sie dann im kühlen Patio ein frisch gebrühter Minztee. Lassen Sie sich abends verwöhnen mit typisch marokkanischen Speisen und genießen einen Urlaub im Riad Felloussia in traditioneller Art.

I've had to use an online translator to understand this but it sounds really nice ;)

Please let me know if you know of reviews in any other languages.

Video of Riad Felloussia in Meknes

2009-10-03T14:40:00.000-07:00

Here is a video of Meknes and Riad Felloussia that was made by the 'wanderlusts', a tripfilms crew that stayed at the riad this summer :

You can see many more of their productions on tripfilms.com
There are other videos of Meknes. For example there is one of Place El hedim. There are also videos of Fez and Marrakesh. They toured around Morocco for over two months and are regularly updating their site with new films.

Our review on Morocco Holiday guides

2009-10-03T14:24:00.000-07:00

Always pleasant to read nice reviews. Here is an article about our riad from Morocco-holidays-guide.co.uk :

Located at the end of a small lane close to Place el Hedim, a central square separating the Medina from the Imperial City, Riad Felloussia is a recently-opened guesthouse offering a true riad experience in Meknes. The riad exudes a homely environment where guests share the culture and authenticity of a medina maison d'hôte with the owners who reside here, yet experience a service that is decidedly discreet and unobtrusive.

Owner Lionel endured a lengthy restoration work, much of it undertook by local artisans, before the “Welcome to Riad Felloussia” was sculpted in the wall decoration. During this time, the zellij, stucco, and cedar wood of the riad were brought back to life in the best of Meknessi tradition. The result is truly astounding, making the riad a living museum-cum-art gallery that sits comfortably within the medina’s historic quarter.

Guests are greeted by the lovely central courtyard where the original arch and cedar wood doors are accompanied by a gurgling fountain and overhanging greenery. There are four spacious rooms and suites decorated in rustic, earthy colours somehow blending perfectly with the more traditional interior architecture. The local influence is visibly apparent in the room furnishings -- lots of traditional antique-style furniture and Berber rugs adorn the floors and walls throughout. The pick of the suites are the Toubkal – large, affording plenty of space on a split level with a double bed and a private Moroccan salon – and the Ouzoud – light and romantic with a small lounge and a (shower in an old) hammam for a soothing experience.

Dining at Riad Felloussia is a traditional affair, with the in-house Moroccan chef offering a menu of traditional meals. Breakfast is included in the rates and a separate dining room is available in the ground floor to take your meals in a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere.

Riad Felloussia's rooftop takes full advantage of its elevated position for wonderful views over the central el Hedim square and the Medina. This is the perfect spot for an extended brunch or a sunset cup of tea.

Lionel is the consummate professional with perfect knowledge of Meknes and the local area. He is always ready to help guests negotiate the medina, find a guide, or head out on day trips. Check out his blog for such errands to Volubilis, Azrou and the Middle Atlas.

Review from Morocco-holidays-guide.co.uk

Special places to stay in Morocco

2009-09-13T09:04:00.000-07:00

We are very proud to be appearing in Alastair Sawday's guide for 'special' places to stay.

Here is the foreword on their site :

I have powerful feelings about the grim world of 'corporate' culture and what it does to people and to places
Thus chain hotels, conference facilities and customer relations executives leave me cold
I also feel strongly about pretension, pomposity and bad taste
And a lot of the writing in 'accommodation' guides makes me wince

The magical thing about our books is that their sales have revealed to me that there are hundreds of thousands of people who feel exactly the same. So we try to be THE guide for those looking for:

Warm, very human, interesting people
Beautiful buildings, original style, elegant simplicity
Fine old things that, however dilapidated, carry their age and authenticity with dignity
Delicious food, much of it grown at home and cooked with devotion
A touch of fun with a touch of class. Quirkiness with seriousness, a light touch, an easy style
Good, old-fashioned writing with some panache
Comfort, yes, but not at the expense of everything else

You can find out much more about the company, our owners and our ethos elsewhere on this site.

Riad Felloussia appears in the Sawday's guide and website. Read what Alastair Sawday writes about Riad Felloussia here »

New Flight to Fez

2009-08-25T10:05:00.000-07:00

Ryanair has just launched a new line from Madrid to Fez. It is already possible to book online at http://www.ryanair.com/site/IE/

The prices are incredibly low from 5Euros to 10Euros maximum during the Christmas period.

Of course we can organize your transfer from Fez to Meknes or you can get to Meknes by train. Rates are very low and you can get train times on the website of the Moroccan train company ONCF. Just over half an hour trip and you'll already be wandering in the in the streets of the medina of Meknes.

Better get booking fast !!

Videos of Meknes

2009-08-19T14:42:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we were lucky enough to have a Tripfilms crew come through Meknes to work on some films. The idea of this website is that members get to travel all over the world and also make small one minute films while they are travelling. They not only filmed our riad in Meknes but also riads all over Morocco. The are some great shots of Meknes and the medina. Take a look at some of these films and you might even decide to get around to making your own films ;)

Here are a few examples of their work :

Riad Felloussia in Meknes

El Hedim Square in Meknes

Cafe Clock in Fez

Riad Laaroussa in Fez

August special offers

2009-07-21T10:28:00.000-07:00

Special offer from the 1st of August until the 15th September ;

Double room for 45 Euros per night.

Small suite for 55 Euros per night.

Our rates include taxes and a wonderful breakfast on our terrace overlooking El Hedim square.

Have a pleasant stay in Meknes ;)

Kefta Tajine recipe

2009-06-30T04:05:00.000-07:00

Preparation time 30 mins to 1 hour

Cooking time 10 to 30 mins

Ingredients
For the meatballs
500g/1lb 2oz minced beef or lamb
1 onion, very finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cumin
½ tsp chilli powder
1 tsp paprika
small handful coriander leaves, finely chopped
small handful flatleaf parsley, finely chopped
1 free-range egg yolk (to bind)
salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the tagine
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp tomato purée
1 x 400g/14oz can chopped tomatoes, drained
2 tsp clear honey
200g/7oz frozen peas
4 free-range eggs
handful parsley, chopped, for garnish

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
2. For the meatballs, place the beef, onion, garlic, spices, fresh herbs and egg yolk into a large bowl. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and mix well. Knead with your hands to form a smooth paste. Roll into walnut-sized balls and set aside.
3. For the stew, in a tagine or heavy-bottomed lidded casserole heat the olive oil, add the onion and sweat until translucent.
4. Add the meatballs and cook until lightly browned on all sides. Combine the tomato purée with the canned tomatoes and add this to the tagine along with the honey. Cover and simmer for ten minutes.
5. Add the peas to the tagine or casserole and stir. Carefully break the eggs onto the top of the stew. Place the tagine or casserole into the oven and bake until the eggs are cooked to your liking, approximately ten minutes.
6. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with couscous.

http://www.bbc.co.uk

Hammam Jdid - Just next door to the riad

2009-06-13T11:50:00.001-07:00

Traditional homes in the medina don't normally have bathrooms. Only the largest homes would have their own hammams. For the rest of the population the local hammam is as much a necessity as it is an opportunity for social gathering.
Riad Felloussia did have its own little hammam at one point but it is no longer functional and has been transformed into a familly sized shower for Suite Ouzoud.
The true hammam experience is nethertheless not lost since one of the largest and most authentic Meknes hammams is just a few steps away. Indeed you unavoidably have to walk past hammam Jdid to get to our riad.

This beautiful hammam is open to the public. From the early morning hours until twelve it is for men only. After twelve and until nine in the evening it is for the ladies and then once again for men until late at night.
The entrance fee is only 8 Dirhams for men and 10 Dirhams for women. Why the price difference you ask ? Well I was very curious about that aswell and all the answers have tended towards two directions : Women have longer hair to wash and also spend hours chatting with the neighbours while they wash.
Once you have paid your entrance fee, you get a little locker to store your belongings and two buckets to mix hot and cold water until you get the appropriate temperature.
Of course you have to be in an adventurous mood to try this sort of experience but I can guarantee that all our guests who have made the attempt have come always come back with lively stories to tell ;)

Meknes Animated Film Festival

2009-05-10T12:27:00.000-07:00

The FICAM (Festival International de Cinéma d'Animation de Meknès) is well underway and is giving a lively tempo to the "Nouveau" Meknes and medina alike.
There will be over 60 screenings in five different venues all over Meknes. Films are from France, the United Kingdom, Morocco, Japan, the US and South Afrika.

You will find the program on their official website : www.ficam.ma
Workshops are also organized aswell as a competition for best screenplay.

Renovating Meknes

2009-04-20T12:17:00.001-07:00

With the International Agricultural Fair starting here in Meknes this week, it has been one long race to get the city ready. Judging by the photo above it would seem the traditional is losing ground to the modern. I may be a little pessimistic but there has been some pretty hasty renovating going on these last few weeks.

Renovations of the Christian prison have been going on for many months. The entire surface above the underground prison has been replaced and this vast yard has still to be finished. There is also a lowered part in the right-hand corner which seems to be dedicated to some form of garden. I hope the secret passage from the prison to El hedim square will be restored and opened to the public.

The Golf Course of Meknes has also been the center of much attention lately. It seems a new side door is in construction. This however is but a wild guess and it may simply be the construction of some kind of hall just next to the golf course. The renovations there are very interesting as they have constructed great archways using traditional building techniques with clay bricks.

Our own little derb near Riad Felloussia has also received a major face lift. Unfortunately they were a little pressed for time and opted for painted cement instead of limewash so the result is a little too modern. The problem with this is also that the little clay bricks are now permanently covered with cement and will never be uncovovered again. A positive point is the very attractive forged metal street lamps that have been installed.

A new museum was also opened up last year. It is just across the road from Bab Aissi and 150 meters to the right of Bab Mansour. Though it is nowhere as sumptuous as Museum Dar Jamai, it has been decorated with taste and it is interesting a museum dedicated to the history of Meknes.

The center of activity has of course been the SIAM that has been set up as for the four previous editions just next to Hri Souani. These were the granaries during the times of Moulay Ismail so the spot couldn't be more suited to an agricultural fair. This 4th edition should be even more succesful with professionals coming from over 20 countries to set up more than 600 stands. 750 000 visitors are expected to come to Meknes especially for the fair this year.

Meknes Stroll

2009-03-27T07:45:00.000-07:00

It was one of those great days when the weather is fine and you have time to relax and just stroll around the medina. My new photographer friend François Struzik was visiting Meknes and in the mood for some sight spotting so we were off. You can see some of his work on his Simply Human blogs (a well found name if ever I saw one).
Well, a nice day and a walk around Meknes with a photographer, you can imagine I dusted off the old camera and felt inspired ;)

Here is François as we set off into the medina. First we went down to the Medersa and around the main mosque. We stopped off at the kiseria to see Hicham the damasquinerie malem and then headed towards the cotton spinners.

We visited the man who patiently chips away at tiny little zelliges with an oversized hammer and also the coppersmith's shop where I love to buy all their little pots and pans.

We finally ended up in the fruit and vegetable markets which led us to the metal forgers and the carpenters before heading back up towards the riad.

Mouzda - Twin room

2009-03-27T04:59:00.000-07:00

Our latest addition to the riad is a little twin room. We created this room because we found that when we were full we were often not able to accomodate guests who were planing to stay several days and we could not fit them in because of just one date. In this way, we can suggest this room as a temporary solution.
It is also useful for families travelling with older children and who prefer not to share the suite. They are in those cases happy to have their own room and it works out cheaper than renting a second suite.
The room in itself is richly decorated with sculpted plaster and Meknes crafts. It has two single beds that can also be transformed into a large bed and has a double door that opens onto the central patio.

Mouloud from the terrace

2009-03-21T14:49:00.000-07:00

As I explained in my earlier article, Mouloud in Meknes is of course a very special moment but also a very intensive one.
That is why after the effervescence of the streets it's always pleasant to make your way back to the riad and relax a little.
As you can see above, that's exactly what our guests Anna and Domingo from Spain decided to do. A nice cup of mint tea and you can lie back and relax in our rocking chairs.

The good thing is that from the terrace of the riad you don't miss out on all the action down below. You can watch the crowds grow and grow as the Meknes sun sets on El Hedim square. And the good thing is that after you have taken some time out, you can always head back down into the streets of the medina because it is unavoidably very busy late into the evening.

The hidden details of Meknes

2009-03-18T13:20:00.000-07:00

It is always interesting to see the work of photographers in and around Meknes.

Claude-Charles Mollard will be exposing his work in the hall of Bab Mansour for the coming six weeks. He has created a mystical world of little spirits that are present all over the medina of Meknes. These creatures he calls "origènes", can be found on walls, on doors, in craftwork, in woodwork and even in piles of leather or wool. His work consisted in seeking out and making portraits of these forms before making a selection for the exposition. You can read more (in French) about his project here.

The unseen details of Meknes have also attracted the attention of fine art photographer Paul S. Grand who should be coming on his fifth visit to the ismailian capital some time next year.
As he says himself both Claude-Charles and himself "seem to subscribe to the postulate that the individual parts are greater than their summation into the whole".
His search for distinctive images has taken him all over the globe. He started in the subway stations of New York and hunted down unsuspected details all the way to Asia.

His Meknes gallery is an intricate stroll in the endlessly connecting derbs of the medina. I sincerely hope his coming visit will result in a much larger collection of Meknes abstractions.

Mouloud in Meknes

2009-03-17T14:31:00.000-07:00

Mouloud or Mawlid is the celebration of the birth of the prophet Muhammad. It is celebrated by muslims all over the world but here in Meknes it is doubled with another special event. For almost 500 years now, it has coincided with the Moussem (pilgrimage) of Cheikh El Kamal (The perfect one) dedicated to Sidi M’hamed Ben Aissa (1467-1526) who spent his life teaching and explaining the precepts of the prophet.

The Moussem is held every year in the city of Meknes. Members of the Aissaoua brotherhood comme from all over the world to celebrate with music and chanting on the tomb of Cheikh El Kamal.

Maybe I should stick to basic facts but the temptation is too great to tell you more about it. In fact noone really knows but there is lots of talking about it. The celebration also includes sacrificing animals and eating the raw meat. Large groups of people dance around and chant hypnotic sounds while the crowd throws animals as a sacrifice. Rumour has it that the blood drives them wild and that if they don't get enough animals to sacrific they will hurl themselves at the crowd and attack anyone wearing red. There are also many stories of people cutting their arms and legs and being completely healed the next day. This is pure myth of course. They are stories that people tell each other because the brotherhood remains very mysterious and uses animal sacrifies in their ceremonies. The Aissaoua do this because according to legend, when the cheikh died, one of his disciples went into a transe from the shock and then killed and ate a raw sheep.
You can have a look at this video if the blood doesn't bother you. The quality is extremely bad but it gives you the general idea.
I'm not trying to scare you of here ;) It is just a small minority that participate in this rite. For the rest of Meknes it is just an enormous celebration with lots of fairs all over town for children and lots of shopping in the many markets that pop up all over town.
The best time of the year to stock up on traditional plates and other forms of poterie.
It's also a great time to see the fantasia horse riding ceremonies.
You can read more about the Aissaoua and transes here. (in French)

New phone numbers in Morocco

2009-03-12T14:10:00.000-07:00

They've changed again !!

Just when you print a new series of business cards and when the new guide books for Morocco are re-edited ...... The phone numbers have been modified again.
The last change was just a couple of years ago if I remember correctly !!

Anyway, that's the way things are, and it's not too difficult to remember once you know it.

As of the 7th of march, the phone numbers for Morocco will have to be modified as follows :

Land lines :

Add a 5 after the first zero - 035 53 08 40 becomes 05 35 53 08 40

Mobiles :

Add a 6 after the first zero - 076 98 77 17 becomes 06 76 98 77 17

If you are calling from abroad simply dial a 5 or a 6 after the 212 and leave out the first zero.

I hope I haven't made that sound more complicated than it is but just in case, you can get the original announcement from Maroc Telecom.

Moulay Idriss

2009-02-23T14:12:00.000-08:00

On your 25 Km drive from Meknes to Volubilis you will go past Moulay Idriss and get this amazing view. Well, actually I'm not very good at taking views. Honestly it's much better than it looks in my photo.

It's only about 4 or 5 kilometers between Moulay Idriss and Volubilis, so when the weather is nice, it's very pleasant to walk from one site to another.
Moulay Idriss is of course most famous for being the resting place of the founder of the Moroccan kingdom. He also founded the city of Fez and united the berber tribes to create a vaste empire.
It's also a very nice little village where you can easily stroll through the streets of the medina. There is a little square in the center with cafés and small snacks. You arrive at the foot of the rocky hill on which the city is built and then wind your way up through narrow streets until you reach the top and get a great view of the whole valley. You can't visit the Moulay's sanctuary if you are not a muslim but you can get a good view of the building from the top.

Here is a much better shot that I stole from Kazuhisa Otsubo.

Combined with the trip to Volubilis, it makes for a great day out from Meknes. If you don't have your own car, you can either take the collective taxis from Meknes or hire out a driver for the day.

Map to get to Riad Felloussia in Meknes

2009-02-18T08:28:00.000-08:00

We normally ask our guests to call us on 05 35 53 08 40 when they are in front of Bab Mansour. It's only 200m from the riad so we can meet you quickly and then show you the way to the riad and help with luggage.
Here is a little map to help you find your way to the riad on your own if you are feeling adventurous :

Agrandir le plan
Click here to get the full page version.

You will also find a few photos of the main tourist sights such as Bab Mansour.
I've included direct links to virtual visits for Museum Dar Jamai, Moulay Ismail Mausoleum and the Royal gold course. (courtesy of panoramaroc.com)

If you are driving to Meknes, you can leave your car on Place Lalla Aouda. It is even guarded at night. Ask for Bab Mansour and then you'll find this square just behind it.

If you arrive in Meknes by train, you can get off at "El Amir" station (it's a small station in the new town) which is slightly closer to the medina than the larger station. From there just hop into a "petit taxi" (light blue peugeot 205 or Fiat Uno) and ask for Bab Mansour. If it isn't already on, ask for the meter to be put on. It should cost about 10-15 dirhams (+50% after 8 pm) to cover the 5 minute run. Unlike the "grand taxi" (always Mercedes) which take up to 6 passengers, these small ones can only take 3 people. As a result, you'll be needing two taxis if travelling as a group of 4 !! Even newborn babies count as one and you'll be very lucky if you can persuade a driver otherwise ;)

Please leave some comments about this map so that I can improve it if necessary.

Hri Souani - Granaries of Meknes

2009-02-12T13:29:00.000-08:00

Another great construction of Moulay Ismail in Meknes is Hri Souani. It is a complex of three different buildings just to the south of the royal palace. The main structure is the actual granaries which were built to store massive quantities food and water in case Meknes had been under siege.
This amazing site has been used as a scene for many films, the most famous of which is probably The Last Temptation of Christ in 1988 by Martin Scorsese. There are a series of 10 massive rooms with arched ceilings that can reach dimensions of over 25 meters long by 10 meters wide.
The walls were so thick that the food was naturally preserved from the highly variable temperatures of the Meknes region. Another part of the building contains the wells that give the name of "the house of water" (Dar El Ma). These wells were powered by animals to extract water which was stored in the "bassin d'Agdal" (Sarij Swani). This series of buildings provided ample stocks for the emperor to feel safe in Meknes.
The Granaries have recently been restored and are now once again entirely open to the public. Entrance is 10dh like most of the monuments here in Meknes.
You can take a virtual tour of the granaries and other important sites of Meknes here.

Mehndi

2009-02-06T13:24:00.000-08:00

Mehndi is often called Henna tattoo because of it is quite similar to tattoos in appearance. The main difference is that contrary to tattoos the pigment remains on the surface of the skin and not under the skin.
Mehndi was initially used for the bride in wedding ceremonies but in Morocco it is used for many types of special occasions. Women wear Mehndi for their seventh month of pregnancy, but also after having the baby. Mehndi is of course used for weddings and engagements but generally women seem to get these henna tattoos for any big family celebration.

A Henna paste is applied directly onto the skin a plastic cone or a little brush. Once the work is done, the creation is covered with cloth to keep in the heat and this helps the pigments to seap into the skin. The longer you keep the cloth and paste on your skin, the longer the design will last. It also helps to make it darker.
Here in Meknes, you can regularly see local women in the markets offering to apply Henna. While you stay at Riad Felloussia, we will be happy to organize a session if you wish to give it a try as a souvenir of your visit to Meknes.

Read more about Henna
Read about Moroccan weddings

Suite Ouzoud

2009-01-25T09:24:00.000-08:00

Virtual Visit

Suite Ouzoud is on the ground floor of Riad Felloussia and opens onto the garden and fountain in the central patio. It is a very long room a large double bed, a small lounge area and a very original bathroom. There is also a cupboard area in a small corridor.

The main room is richly decorated with works from local craftsmen. Meknes has a high reputation for fine metalwork and several examples of their work can be found here.

The bathroom is unique in that it is set in an old hammam. It was originally the private Hammam of Riad Felloussia but had been damaged over the years. It has now been renovated into a very large shower area but maintains the original sculpted ceilings and clay brick arches.

Rates : 60 - 80 Euros depending on the period of the year.
Breakfast and taxes are included

Suite Afrika

2009-01-25T09:17:00.000-08:00

Virtual Visit

Suite Afrika is on the first floor of Riad Felloussia. It has a large wooden double door that leads onto a corridor overlooking the garden in the central patio.

This suite is different from the others in that it is not decorated with Moroccan crafts. It contains our collection of African paintings and woodwork that we have collected over the years and more specifically from Gabon where we lived for several years.

The bathroom is decorated with rich blue tadelakt and zelliges.
The sink is made from copper and has been set in a small cupboard made here in Meknes. It is all cedar wood and intricately carved.

Rates : 80 - 100 Euros depending on the period of the year.
Breakfast and taxes are included

Suite Toubkal

2009-01-25T09:07:00.000-08:00

Virtual Visit

Suite Toubkal is the largest Suite in Riad Felloussia. It has its own traditional Moroccan lounge on the ground level and a sleeping area for two above the bathroom in the mezzanine.

An enormous wooden double door opens onto the garden and fountain in the main patio of the riad. The ceiling in the suite is over 5 meters high and is constructed with original cedar beams.

The bathroom is decorated with a warm sand-coloured lime and traditional clay tiles. Antique woodwork and fine local metalwork can also be found here. The sink is hand sculpted from fossilized marble from the south of Morocco.

The private lounge area was created specifically by local craftsmen. It is ideal to relax during the day while drinking mint tea and contemplating the patio through the open doors.
The central table was made from an old door from the riad that was too damaged to be used otherwise. The suite can also be used as a private dining area or for intimate breakfasts. At night it can be used as an extra sleeping area for groups or for families with children.

Rates : 80 - 100 Euros depending on the period of the year.
Breakfast and taxes are included

Pistache

2009-01-25T08:52:00.000-08:00

Well I think it's about time I talked about one of our permanent guests here in Riad Felloussia.
Pistache has been living here with us in Meknes for almost 3 years now. She had a bit of a hard time during the renovation years with noisy drills and unfamiliar workers all over the house, but now that all that is over with, she seems to have settled down quietly into the riad.
During the summer she lounges on the terraces with her cat-friends in the neighbourhood and during the cold months she stays nice and close to the wood stove. Her favourite sleeping place has inspired one of our recipes : Pistachio tajine ;)

Mausoleum of Meknes by night

2009-01-25T08:12:00.000-08:00

One of the main attractions in Meknes is the mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Moroccans visit this site as a sign of good blessing for good health and well-being. For non-muslim Tourists it's the opportunity to visit a religious site and get an inside look into local religious culture. It is one of the only two sites in Morocco where this is possible.
The mausoleum of Meknes was constructed in 1703. It consists of three courtyards, the mosque and the tombs. Entrance is free but the mausoleum is closed on Fridays.
To your right when leaving the mausoleum you will discover an enormous road running between two massive Ismailien walls. After about a two kilometer run the road turns left and goes past the royal palace before reaching the granaries and the "bassin d'agdal".

If you'd like to visit the mausoleum as if you were in Meknes right now, just take this virtual visit on panoramaroc.com and also discover many other attractions not only in Meknes and Fez but all over Morocco.

Meknes News 2009

2009-01-09T07:27:00.000-08:00

Well it's a cold New Year that has just started here in Meknes. First modifications have already started for Riad Felloussia. After lots of hesitation and much reconsideration, we've finally decided to cover the central patio for the winter. There was just too much rain and the sun seemed not very decided on coming back. And of course .... now that it's done ... the rain has stopped and the sun is back. We won't be fooled that easily though and the canvas will stay in place a little while longer .... just to make sure.

Lots of events on the Meknes agenda this beginning of year ......

The Olive Tree and Olive Oil Festival will be starting on the 26th of February. Olives have long been a symbol of long life and peace and are also a real symbol of prosperity for the city of Meknes. Even the Romans had olives in mind when they settled in Volubilis over 2000 years ago. They are everywhere ... there's just no avoiding them and noone will complain about that. As good a time as any to opt for a Chicken and Olive Tagine ;)

But also .... .... a new web page for Meknes with all the important information you will need about Meknes and the region. Weather report, important addreses, train time tables and so on .....

.... an International Urban Sports Festival with lots of demonstrations including skating, BMX, street golf and even monocycle. (25th April 2009) .... the 4th edition of the SIAM (Salon International de l'Agriculture du Maroc) which will be opening on the 23rd April 2009. Lots of stalls from all over Morocco for an event which is growing every year and should reach 400 000 visitors this year.

....last but far from least, the FICAM (Festival International de Cinéma d’Animation de Meknès), the big animated film festival here in Meknes which will be starting it's 9th edition from the 7th to 15th of May.

A great opportunity to discover Meknes. There are screenings all over town and even in the Medina. Some of the old Fondouks have been transformed into cultural centers where films can be screened and if you are lucky you could even watch the giant screen on El Hedim square from the terrace of Riad Felloussia ;)

Damascene metalwork from Meknes

2008-11-30T07:33:00.000-08:00

One of the great attractions in Meknes are the craftsmen. While woodwork and forged metal from Meknes benefit from a great reputation all over Morocco, "Damasquinerie" is in a category of its own because it can be found nowhere else other than in Meknes.

It seems this type of metalwork is actually quite difficult to find origins for. If you have time to look into it, you may even realise that the Damascene technique for ancient sword making doesn't even originate from Damascus. Read here if you are ready for a light headache ;)
I can however give our local version as it is administered to tourists in the souvenir shops and complete it with bits of information gathered around Meknes. It would seem that it was originally exported by Jewish craftsmen from Syria into Toledo in spain where they established a colony in 500 BC. When a little over a thousand years later jews again prepared for exile from Spain, some of the craftsmen came to settle in Meknes.
This art form is a very slow and precise process. Metal forms are made out of an alloy of different irons. Today large sheets of iron are used to make these shapes. After lots of cutting and bashing they finally obtain the desired forms. And that is just the first step.
The shapes are then cut with a special knife to form a grid on the surface of the objects.
The next step is to hammer silver thread into the metal. Gold was used originally but the local Berbers preferred Silver and now gold linning is only found in Toledo.
The Malem (master crafstman) can then start the decorative part of the work. With a tiny little hammer he will slowly and patiently decorate the entire piece. They never use a pattern and work only from inspiration. No two pieces are alike.

Once this is done the object is sent to the furnace which will melt the silver thread and darken the metal. The final step is polishing to smooth out the ridges created by the knife in the second step. And there you have it .... authentic Damasquinerie from Meknes !
Hicham who is hard at work below is from a famous familly of malems. They have been passing down their know-how from father to son for countless generations (that is a photo of his father at work in the background). His tiny little stall is decorated with photos of kings past and present who have come to congratulate him on his art.

All this is in a small kiseria (workshop) only a few streets away from Riad Felloussia so I hope you will take the time to visit and maybe get a clearer idea than through my confused description ;)

Day Trip to Azrou

2008-10-25T04:10:00.000-07:00

Another great day trip from Meknes is to go towards Azrou. It is a small traditional medina set in the middle Atlas. When coming from Meknes it is the first real Berber village you come upon.

In Amazigh the word "Azrou" means boulder and indeed the village is set on an enormous rock. The traditional houses with their green-tiled roofs blend perfectly into the surrounding cedar forest.

While you are there you can try some local trout in one of the quiet restaurants and wander around the small medina to admire local craft.

It's a great place for walks in the forest. Children will love all the animals they encounter along the way. The greatest attraction for them will of course be the hundreds of monkeys that roam around freely.

My son was particularly observant of the local creatures and had some very precise questions concerning the activity of the above ladybirds.

Azrou is only about 70 km south of Meknes and the road is very pleasant. Along the way you will have great view points like "Ito" where you can admire the whole valley. After Azrou you can either visit Ifrane or Ain Leuh on your way back to Meknes.

If you don't arrive in Meknes with your own car it is possible to rent a car for the day or we will even arrange for a car with a driver if you prefer.

Virtual Visit of Riad Felloussia

2008-10-09T15:28:00.000-07:00

Here is our brand new virtual visit that Sylvain is working on :

Just click on the photo .....

It's a 360° sphere that you can move around in. The detail is amazing and you can even move into Suite Toubkal. Later there will be other rooms. If you would like to see more examples of his work you can click on his name.
Please leave some comments to let me know what you think ;)

Suite Toubkal

2008-09-29T13:52:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Suite Toubkal

This is our largest suite. It is located on the ground floor and opens directly onto the patio, garden and fountain.

It is on a split level with its own traditional Moroccan salon on the ground level and a sleeping area up above the bathroom.

The sink was sculpted from fossilized marble. The zellige and metalwork are all from local Meknes craftsmen. All the woodwork is equally from Meknes.

This lounge area can be used for breakfast, meals or just for reading and relaxing. It is for the exclusive use of guests staying in suite Toubkal.

Come and make yourself at home in the comfort of suite Toubkal.
Rates are 70 to 100 Euros per night depending on the season. Breakfast and taxes are included in the price.

Ramadan in Meknes

2008-09-28T12:05:00.000-07:00

We are just coming to the end of Ramadan for 2008. I still find it amazing to see how the streets of Meknes get so empty when it is time to break the fast. I was up on the terrace and took a few shots of place El Hedim during and after the Ftour. Ramadan is always a very special period when all your habits are disrupted even if you don't fast. Just a few more days and we will once again be able to drink juice in the cafés. People will smoke again in the streets. Meknes shops will have regular opening times once again. And the dangerous evening rushes to get home before sundown will be but a faint memory. If you'd like to know more about Ramadan in Morocco please have a look at these two very interesting articles : Moroccan culture and ramadan-in-morocco

Here is the main square in Meknes at 6:40 PM from our teracce. The Canon shot has just been set off and the call to prayer has ended. Everyone is indoors to break the fast.

Just one hour later and people are coming back out to listen to music and celebrate or go shopping. It will get busier and busier until very late at night.

Last weekend I came home at around 3:30 a.m. and was very surprised to see all the kids still playing football on Lalla Aouda while they waited to be called in for the last meal of the day ;)

A day trip to Volubilis

2008-09-12T12:42:00.000-07:00

One of the most popular day trips from Meknes is to go visit the famous Roman ruins of Volubilis.
The site is enormous and really gives an idea of the lifestyle in this Roman outpost that was essentially used for its military position and olive production.
Most of the monuments were unfortunately damaged when Moulay Ismail needed building materials for his palaces in Meknes but there are over a dozen great mosaics to be seen. If you want to know more about 2000 year old Volubilis please see the official site : http://www.sitedevolubilis.com
There aren't many hotels near Volubilis so most people decide to stay in Meknes.
Transport is not a problem,it is only about 20 km and taxis are very cheap. We can even find you a taxi for the day if you wish. A cheaper alternative is to take collective taxis and then it will only cost you a few Euros.

Welcome to Riad Felloussia

2008-05-04T04:57:00.000-07:00

Well the renovations are finally coming to an end and we have asked Hassan to sculpt the final : "Welcome to Riad Felloussia"

The garden has also become very pleasant and is all ready for a nice glass of mint tea after your long walks in the gorgeous Meknes medina.

Two of our suites open directly onto the garden. Suite Ouzoud is on the right with its little lounge area and old Hammam bathroom. Suite Toubkal is to the left of the photo with a double bed in the Mezzanine above the bathroom and a private Moroccan "Salon".

Thanks Enrico ; )

2008-02-02T14:58:00.000-08:00

Enrico and Cecilia stayed at our house and were nice enough to send a few photos. Well, you have to admit don't you. A professional photographer makes an enormous difference.
I've decided to stop renovating now. Why bother when all you need is a good photographer and everything looks so much nicer ; )

As good as old ....

2007-11-24T07:14:00.000-08:00

We have just finished an important step in renovating the house : The woodwork of the main patio.

Now, it may not seem like much, but it's something that has been worrying me ever since we bought the house two years ago.
Now that that's done we can finally get down to thinking about the garden .....

Suite Ouzoud

2007-11-11T10:00:00.001-08:00

We've just finished our new suite ......

welcome to Suite Ouzoud ;)

a few more pics

2007-11-07T12:42:00.001-08:00

starting out

2007-11-02T15:50:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my newly created blog for my house in the medina of Meknes ;)
We have been renovating it for the last year or so and it is finally starting to shape up. The Medina of Meknes is wonderful to live in and very pleasant to visit. It has been difficult to live in the house and carry out renovations at the same time but our first guest room is finally ready to receive guests. Please get in touch if you are planning on coming through for a visit !