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It is an emerald of the High Atlas, nestled at an altitude of 2,300 m, facing Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, in the territory of the Province of Taroudant. Popular with hiking and nature lovers, Lake Ifni now has a new stone access path, making the excursion accessible to all. Replacing a very stony and difficult track, this welcome trail starts from the Andouss café , in Imhilene, and climbs up to Lake Ifni over 5 km ( our photo ). This route is punctuated by various stops, to admire the landscape. Mules are also available, if you feel the need. The gradient is 330 m up to the small summit which dominates the lake at 2,470 m, before a descent of 130 m. The stone path is particularly well made. It recalls the one that was created to lead to the Agadir of Inoumar , in the Anti-Atlas. The initiative for this work comes from the Souss Massa Tourism Development Company, which aims to "improve the visitor experience while preserving the environment." Upon arrival, the hiker will find a reception area that is truly in harmony with the surrounding nature. This stone and wood development includes a bivouac area, a sentry box, toilets, pergolas for picnicking (our photo ), benches and solar panels. Tourist signage is being installed. It will join the one that indicates to visitors that they are in the Toubkal National Park ( our photo ). From Lake Ifni, it is possible to reach the 4,136 m peak of the roof of the Maghreb, with the mandatory use of a guide. The classic ascent, however, is from the north and the charming and very touristy village of Imlil . Lake Ifni was created by nature and a landslide that closed off its southern side. Its shores are steep except in the west where the lake, which has a maximum depth of 50 m, is bordered by a vast stony plain. You can risk swimming there, except in the northeastern part , which is dangerous. Having crossed the southern slope of the lake, the water flows into the valley. This is why, dotted with small villages ( our photo ), it is green and superb. Terraced crops allow the Berbers who populate these valleys to find their food there and perhaps the youngest to avoid the attraction of large towns. A few rare cafes and lodgings welcome tourists who love the great outdoors. It takes four to five hours of (beautiful) driving from the Agadir region, so spending a night in the valley is recommended. The closest guesthouse to Lake Ifni is called Chez Rkia, and it has garnered enthusiastic reviews . However, it is not possible to book a room in advance. Further down, in Amsouzart , the choice is wider. The Ryad Dar Amsouzart is offered by Booking.com. The same is true of the Riad Toubkal in Atlas Tifnout.

Agadir will benefit from the immense global impact of the two major football competitions that the Kingdom will host. Its Grand Stade Adrar will host not only eight matches of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) , starting on December 22, 2025 and in January 2026, but also, in five years, matches of the 2030 FIFA World Cup . The stadium and its surroundings are currently undergoing renovations (our image) to host the first of these competitions and position Agadir as a lasting sporting capital. The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will take place from 21 December to 18 January 2026, meaning that, for the first time, it will be held during the Christmas and New Year period. It is expected to break all records. It is now the most watched sporting event in Africa, reaching a television audience of 1.5 billion people and 2.4 billion digital streams. In Agadir, starting on 22 December, the 45,500 spectators who will pack into the Grand Stade Adrar will witness eight exciting clashes between some of Africa's best teams, including Egypt, Cameroon and South Africa. Six of these matches will determine the top two teams in Group B and the top two in Group F, who will qualify for the round of 16. On 5 January, the Grand Stade Adrar will host one of these round of 16 matches, and five days later, one of the quarter-finals. Here is the schedule for these eight matches: Monday, 22 December, 6 p.m. Egypt-Zimbabwe Group B Thursday, 24 December, 8:30 p.m. Cameroon-Gabon Group F Friday, 26 December, 6 p.m. Egypt-South Africa Group B Sunday, 28 December Gabon-Mozambique Group F Monday, 29 December Angola-Egypt Group B Wednesday, 31 December, 8:30 p.m. Mozambique-Cameroon Group F Monday, 5 January, 6 p.m. Round of 16 Saturday, 10 January, 6 p.m. Quarter-final The final will take place on 18 January in Rabat. All of Morocco is hoping that the Atlas Lions, who finished fourth in the last World Cup, will fight for the title! Renovation work on the Grand Stade Adrar began in September 2024. The aim is to turn it into a sports and leisure hub connected to the city ( see photo ). Inside the stadium, the following work is either underway or has already been completed: renovation of the pitch, extension of the stands, modernisation of the VIP and press boxes, and improvements to the changing rooms and spectator entry flow. Outside, a large covered hall, a paddle court ( see photo ), training grounds, car parks and green areas with street furniture and flower beds are being created on land that was recently vacant. In a second phase, which will begin after the AFCON, and in order to meet FIFA requirements, the Grand Stade Adrar will be equipped with a new roof ( see image ) to completely cover the stands. The athletics track will be removed, which will increase capacity and bring the public closer to the pitch. At the same time, Agadir continues to undergo spectacular transformation and beautification in every direction.

The interior design of the carriages of the new Avelia Horizon TGV, manufactured in France by Alstom and scheduled to enter service between Kenitra and Marrakech , has just been revealed. Here, the restaurant, planned over two floors . These colorful interiors combine both retro charm and contemporary boldness. The first- and second-class carriages feature bright interiors, accented with yellow lamps ( in our photo, first class ). Table lamps have long been a staple of TGV trains, and the new generation is intended to appear "as round as the seats" while adding a touch of "bright color" and humor, according to the SNCF. The manufacturer wanted to take care of comfort, including in second class ( our photo ), by creating "a more personal bubble". The idea was to take a fresh look, introduce a lasting change in the railway world, and "re-enchant a technical and industrial environment." Has this goal been achieved? Give your opinion by answering the survey below ! To assist families traveling with children, microwaves, additional changing tables, and relaxation areas have been added. An entire carriage has been specially designed for wheelchair users, allowing them to board the train independently thanks to an ad hoc installation ( our image ). These services are intended to be exemplary : disabled people who travel in this carriage will be able to order meals at the seat allocated to them. The rather impressive result obtained, for example in the staircase which connects the two floors of the train ( our photo ), is due to a collaboration between the French design office AREP, a subsidiary of SNCF , and the Japanese design agency NENDO . SNCF plans to introduce the new Avelia Horizon TGV next year, between Paris and Marseille, even though 2025 seemed to be the preferred date. Delays follow delays. The delivery difficulties encountered by Alstom are worrying. Since the Avelia Horizon ( our photo ) is planned for the Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed rail line, the question of the delivery of the 18 trains ordered by Morocco and financed by French loans is becoming acute. Could these trains be delivered in 2029, the year before the 2030 World Cup? It's still entirely possible, but not 100% certain.

An extraordinary new development is about to open at the magnificent Domaine Limoune , in Sidi Boumoussa, very close to the Jardin aux Etoiles . Not content with housing one of the best restaurants in Souss-Massa, if not the best, that is to say the Massa restaurant, the owners of these places which have become emblematic, the Bouslikhane family, have imagined a zoo park, the "Safari, l'expédition sauvage", which takes the form of Africa. Let's explain! As this Google Maps screenshot shows, an outline of the African continent, several hundred meters wide and several meters high, has been created to the west of the pool called Monkey Beach. The icing on the cake is that 24 hotel chalets have been built around it. This perimeter hides a huge excavation inside which many trees from the African savannah have been planted. This cave will soon be home to animals, which can be admired from suitable vehicles, as well as from the hotel chalets with their large bay windows. What animals? Suspense! They certainly won't be those of the small but very well-kept zoo that has been open to visitors for several years at Domaine Limoune, and which will remain. Will the giraffe named Pedro, who is the headliner ( our photo ), nevertheless be called upon to move, along with the zebras who accompany him? That would be logical. But mum's the word... What we can announce, however, is that an aviary, which also takes the shape of the African continent ( our Google Maps image ), will be inserted in the center of this spectacular zoo. The opening date for "Safari, l'expédition sauvage" has not yet been officially announced. According to our information, however, it should not be long.

Projects to showcase animals are multiplying in Agadir and Souss Massa. After the announcement on this blog of the new "Safari, the wild expedition" at Domaine Limoune , which should open soon, the Drarga Municipal Council has just given the green light to the development of a new animal park, opposite Croco Parc : "The Monkey Oasis". The image above is an illustration photo. This new park will be located on a seven-hectare plot made available by the Souss Massa Tourism Development Company , a public body created by the Regional Council. This company manages an area of 130 hectares ( our photo ) called Drarga Animal and Leisure Park, which we already mentioned in 2022. Twelve plots ( see our plan ) are planned to accommodate as many projects, in the form of rentals. Community facilities and basic amenities will serve these plots. A 13th plot will see the creation of a central garden, open to free access, as a resting point between visits. This green space, rich in plants, will include restaurants and cafes, an information kiosk and an amphitheater. The buildings will have to be light, in order to be in line with the park's vocation, based on "techniques of landscape immersion, sequential views and reproduction of natural habitats." As this Google Maps view shows, the development of the Animal and Leisure Park is already well underway. The promoter of the "Monkey Oasis" project is none other than the Alléon family, who are behind the Croco Parc and Exotic Garden, with such success. Created just 10 years ago by Philippe Alléon and Luc Fougeirol , Croco Parc is currently managed by Philippe's son, Jacques Alléon ( our photo ), who is also the boss of the very powerful Comptoir agricole du Souss. The Croco Parc and Botanical Garden has already made a name for itself in favor of species conservation . It is therefore a safe bet that we will see at "The Monkey Oasis" primates whose survival is in danger in the forests of Azrou in the Middle Atlas: the Barbary macaques ( our photo ). The required area will be larger than that of Croco Parc: seven hectares for the monkeys, compared to four for the crocodiles. The announced budget amounts to 35 million dirhams (approximately 350,000 euros). Some 40 people would be needed to operate "The Monkey Oasis," twice the size of Croco Parc. Other projects could emerge at the Drarga Animal and Leisure Park. The Tourism Development Corporation cites, as examples, a shooting club, extreme sports, a miniature golf course, an equestrian center, and even a dog club. Investors take note! The main project included in the Animal and Leisure Park is the Lion Park, initiated by Akim Abdel Hafid ( our photo ), and whose construction work began at the end of 2021. Its opening, announced as imminent, is still (highly) anticipated. The Lion Park occupies 20 hectares. Its cost is estimated at 110 million dirhams, or just over 10 million euros. It is expected to employ around fifty people.

The centrepiece of the 2020-2024 Urban Development Programme , which is dramatically transforming, modernising and beautifying Agadir, the Grand Theatre is set to open before the end of 2025, in time for the start of the eight matches of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be held in the capital of Souss, the first of which is scheduled for 22 December. This is certainly the goal being pursued by the governor of the Province of Souss-Massa, Saaïd Amzazi, who is pulling out all the stops. But is this objective realistic, given that work is currently focused on installing the exterior cladding ( see photo )? Designed from the outset by the architects ( see photo ), this cladding is worth taking a closer look at. It is made up of triangles of glass-reinforced concrete ( GRC ). Lighter than traditional concrete, it can be moulded into complex shapes, offering greater flexibility and therefore originality in architectural design. It is also said to be less susceptible to corrosion. The installation of these panels is well advanced. The number of workers on the site has been doubled. The issue of meeting deadlines is therefore not a concern here, nor is it a concern for the landscaping, which will be completed quickly. The main concern is the complex interior installation of this 1,000-seat hall ( see photo ). For example, the tender for the production of the seats is still ongoing. The main question, however, is whether this leading cultural facility will be able to open on time. The only contender, French company Kanju , was reportedly excluded from the operating strategy. This cultural engineering specialist collaborated on projects for the Grand Theatres of Rabat and Casablanca, although the one in the capital is not yet operational, even though the building has been completed for some time (see photo). On the other hand, financial management consulting has been officially awarded to the Moroccan subsidiary of the French company Projexia International. Meanwhile, the Moroccan company Finatech Systems has been selected to develop scenographic systems. The steering and monitoring committee for the Urban Development Programme had taken the precaution of planning for operations to be prepared in parallel with the construction work, so that the management team would be in place and trained by the end of the year. Will this ambitious goal be achieved? Will the artistic programme for the opening season be announced soon? And what will the conditions be in terms of prices and subscriptions? Or will the Grand Théâtre d'Agadir be declared complete without actually being operational? All these questions remain unanswered.

The superb restoration of the Kasbah of Agadir was crowned by the Philippe-Rotthier European Architecture Prize for vernacular architecture. This has just been attributed to its author, the great lady Salima Naji , who embodies its spirit and its realization and fought against all odds (also human...) to have the principles adopted. are dear to him: use of local materials, earth, stone and wood. No less than 189 international projects linked to vernacular, i.e. indigenous, architecture had been submitted. Salima Naji's case ( our photo montage ) therefore won in a tough fight. The jury chaired by the visionary architect and critic Maurice Culot was sensitive to the quality of the entire project for the resurrection of the Kasbah of Agadir Oufella (from above in Tachelhit). The work accomplished includes an esplanade with subtle differences in level, from which we enjoy an exceptional view of Agadir, as well as the respectful restoration of the walls of the Kasbah destroyed by the terrible earthquake of 1960 . Built in stone and wood, a café and a restaurant should soon open on the esplanade. The Philippe-Rotthier European Architecture Prize will be awarded to the winner on October 26 in Brussels. It constitutes a powerful invitation to visit these emblematic places, which are mainly accessed by cable cars . The most interested visitors will benefit from discovering the route on wooden decks that can be taken inside the walls of the Kasbah. A very successful itinerary, also signed Salima Naji, which timely highlights the coexistence, actually experienced in Morocco, between the three monotheistic religions. Reflection points ( our photo ) are scattered throughout the route.

Raised in Switzerland, at the Aquatis aquarium-vivarium in Lausanne, 16 sacred crocodiles arrived this Friday, June 14, at the superb setting that is the Croco Parc in Agadir . They are destined to complete their growth there, before being released in the south of Morocco in gueltas, namely water holes in the Sahara, where they had been exterminated about sixty years ago. The aim of this repopulation: to save this species by returning it to its natural habitat. Having left Geneva airport under the supervision of Aquatis director Michel Ansermet, the reptiles travelled on board a private cargo ship, at a good temperature, whereas transport in the hold of an airliner would have lowered the temperature of their environment to around five degrees. The animals did not suffer from this journey, and were also able to survive for months and months without eating. At Crocoparc, they are in a rehabilitation enclosure outside, in order to get used to the temperatures and solar radiation of Agadir. The sacred crocodiles are known to have good temperaments and to be less aggressive than their Nile counterparts which populate the Crocoparc, in a natural environment which is otherwise magnificent in its diversity ( our photo ). The Swiss sacred crocodiles come from litters in 2019 and 2002. We will later learn that the repopulation operation will take place in June 2025. The locations will be chosen "according to the interests of local populations" and in "a context of sustainable socio-economic development". The released reptiles will be equipped with GPS detectors to track their movements in the wild. A few specimens will be kept at Crocoparc in order to form a breeding nucleus of the species. This operation is a first on the African continent.

The Salam cinema in Agadir is legendary. Built in 1946, it survived the 1960 earthquake ( our photo ). Its architectural configuration in the shape of a horse saddle proved to be devilishly earthquake-proof! On May 28, 2022 , the city's mayor Aziz Akhannouch, also head of the Moroccan government, announced that this cinema, which has left its mark on several generations of Gadiris, was going to be rehabilitated, following the donation of the building to the City by its owner, businessman Aziz Aboulmajd. A little over two years later, the Municipality is showing that it has a plan: it is launching a citizen consultation to determine the future function of the building. In a gesture to the credit of the City, a consultative platform ( our photo ) has been created for this purpose on its website. The inhabitants of Agadir have the possibility to submit their suggestions, anonymously or not, not only in Arabic and Tamazight, but also in French. An attention that will be appreciated by French speakers. Several uses are proposed: multifunctional cultural center, art house cinema, co-working and innovation space, theater and performances, education and training center, art gallery and museum or even digital center. The deadline for submitting online responses is November 30. "Your participation is essential to making this project a success," the City emphasizes. The latter adds that it will distribute the responses, while reserving the right to filter them and "not publish proposals deemed inappropriate or offensive." This consultative platform also allows for decisions to be taken on the names of three indoor swimming pools that will soon be open to the public, in the Al Houda ( our photo ), Aghroud (Bensergao) and Hay Mohammadi districts, in addition to the Olympic swimming pool planned near the Grand Stade Adrar. Citizen consultation is very trendy. It generates democratic emulation, but can also be disappointing in the eyes of some. The precaution taken to suggest specific allocations for the Salam cinema is however likely to avoid this drawback. The work of architect Georges Appéré ( our photo ) will have a new cultural life, even though it seemed for a time that it would fall prey to real estate appetites !

Previously called   the bypass road , as part of the Agadir Development Plan, it is now called   the North-East Ring Road . But it doesn't matter : the main thing is that users can now use this artery, which connects Al Massira airport to the Al Mohammadi district ( our plan above ). It thus shortens travel time and helps to relieve congestion in the suburbs, as well as the center of the capital of Souss. The ring road is in fact unofficially open, even if the Temsia bridge is still under construction. The roundabout created below this structure, however, allows vehicles to cross this intersection without too much inconvenience, and this in both directions. Caution is nevertheless recommended, as a serious accident has already occurred there. For some unexplained reason, the bridge intended to span Regional Road 114, initially envisaged as a hopper (artificial tunnel), did not begin construction until February 2024, while the 500 m long viaduct intended to span the Souss wadi was completed many months ago. This bridge ( our photo taken from the south) is not expected to be completed for several weeks, if not months. The work ( our photo ) should have been completed before the 2024 summer holidays . But that was not the case. However, those responsible for these road developments took the right decision to allow vehicles to use the entire Airport-Al Mohammadi section without delay, hence the unofficial opening, while there are still facilities to be completed, including signage. Speed limits have already been installed. From Nationale 10 which leads to the airport to Nationale 11 which leads to the Marrakech motorway, it is 100 km/h, which allows for good driving. We can see, towards the ocean, the modern white buildings of the city and, on the mountain side, small villages with degraded housing, not to say comparable to hovels. A shock. On the other hand, from the Nationale 11, and up to Al Mohammadi, the 80 km/h is introduced, which may seem excessive but is explained by the number of roundabouts created and the desire of the public authorities to establish strict safety conditions. Which, against all caution, does not prevent bicycles from using this link. We even saw a disabled person risk it on board his ad hoc vehicle... No less than five of these works lead to Agadir ( our map on which you can click to enlarge it ). So much so that, according to Google Maps, you can travel the 17.8 km Airport-Al Mohammadi in 16 minutes. And you avoid the black spots of Azrou, Tikiouine, Aït Melloul and Inezgane. Appreciable!

A sensational discovery announced in 2017, the cradle of humanity at Jebel Ighoud, 2 hours 40 minutes from the Garden of Stars , is so momentous and captivating that it deserves a museum and interpretation centre. Initially announced for 2022 , but delayed by the effects of the COVID epidemic and financial complications, the impressive complex desired by the Moroccan authorities is now under construction, as shown in the photo above, taken by us at the end of May 2024. According to the information we have gathered, it is due to open in October this year. With a touch of optimism. The building currently being fitted out is resolutely modern in its architecture ( our image ), although this does not exclude a traditional touch. The contract for its construction has been awarded to a company based in Fez, on a turnkey basis. This means that the entire museum and interpretation centre will be built under the responsibility of this general contractor. The most advanced part ( our photo ) will house accommodation for the archaeologists working on site, as well as staff, including caretakers. The interpretation centre will include permanent and temporary exhibition spaces, showing all the archaeological excavations carried out on site, as well as introductory and experimental workshops for schools and a reading centre. Appropriately located just a few metres from the quarry where the fossils of the oldest known homo sapiens were discovered, and offering a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside, this modern, interactive museum will also include a cafeteria that visitors are sure to appreciate. After all, Jebel Ighoud is an almost desert-like place, where the thirst needs to be quenched! Located four kilometres from the cave ( our Google Maps map ), the village of Ighoud is not equipped to receive the tourist rush expected from Marrakech , Agadir and Essaouira . However, the village has already benefited 100% from the extraordinary discovery. A number of public buildings have been erected and the road leading to the cave has been extensively upgraded with a row of lampposts ( photo below ). Road access to Jebel Ighoud has also been made easier from Chichaoua (less than 3 hours from Agadir) and even from the north. This should encourage the general public, at least those curious about the origins of this great human adventure, to visit Jebel Ighoud by autumn 2024... or a little later.

The first stage of Agadir's spectacular Danialand theme park , which will be joined next year by the giant Souss Camp campsite, will welcome its visitors for the 2024 summer holidays. The project's promoter, Abdelaziz Houays , has just declared that the opening will take place "during the second half of May". Admission prices have yet to be announced, but hundreds of people are working hard to meet the deadline. "Top-of-the-range facilities, spacious chalets, modern mobile homes, a water park with 16 pools, 14 waterslides (pictured above) and a host of facilities for young and old alike": that's what the official Danialand website announces. These attractions will be built over the six stages of the project, which will be spread out over several years. According to the promoter, by 2030, 80% of the project will have been completed. So be patient! And beware: the information released by Danialand is neither transparent nor complete. The second phase involves extending the cable car line that goes up to the Kasbah to Danialand. This costly project will not be completed until 2024. To g et to Danialand, you will have to take the road which leaves from the foot of the Kasbah, before climbing up to the amusement park ( our photo ). As we can see, several hideous radio-TV antennas have not yet been able to be removed, as is still the case at the Kasbah , preventing the interior of the latter from being completed. Inspired by the success of the Atlantica park , the aquatic priority of Danialand, named Aquapark, is illustrated by this photo , taken from a drone. Seven toboggans will be open this year. As we se e, one of the 16 pools will be shaped like a guitar. An indoor swimming pool will satisfy fans in winter. Like the downhill ski slopes, the slides will include black, red, blue and green slides , depending on their speed. On the security side, Danialand announces trained lifeguards and an infirmary at the entrance to the park with medical care. Second pillar on which the attractiveness of Danialand is based: catering. Highlight of the operation: arriving in Agadir at the end of 2022 , two Airbus cabins will serve as a framework for two restaurants. However, these will not open until 2025. On the menu: French cuisine and Italian cuisine, with a view of the commercial port. The 2024 stage will only see the opening of "open-air restaurants", along with attractions, the details of which have not been specified. The restaurants will be open until midnight. This night-time opening is intended to be a lively affair, with light shows, performances and shows accompanied by cultural and artistic entertainment sessions, alongside the daytime entertainment in the aqua park. Later stages include a park featuring miniatures of the most emblematic Moroccan buildings and go-kart tracks. Contrary to what we had previously imagined, the stage announced for the end of May will not be marked by the provision of 500 of the 1,000 accommodation units announced. The promoter has announced that mobile homes will at a later stage be available ( our photo ), chalets and pitches for motorhomes, all located north of Danialand, towards Anza, under the name Souss Camp. The target clientele is families. The Danialand and Souss Camp project requires an extraordinary engineering organization, in order to supply the 16 basins and water the plantations, including the hundreds of palm trees already installed ( our photo taken a month ago). Huge reservoirs have been built up to meet these considerable needs. According to so far unconfirmed information, the water comes from the ocean below.