Most visitors to Marrakesh head straight to the medina and its old world souks for excitment. Those who are in the know make a b-line for the French "new town", known to locals as Guéliz. Guéliz is home to the Yves Saint Laurent Majorlle Gardens, La Mamounia Hotel, where Alfred Hitchcock wrote "The Birds" along with some of Marrakech's chic addresses for eating out, shopping and gallery hopping. Named as the leading travel destination in North Africa by Trip Advisor and now on many travelers bucketlist, Marrakesh lives up to its name with streetlined cafes on glorious boulevards dotted with palm trees, an outdoor flower market, beautiful parks with dry tolerant plants and some of the world's most delcious street food. Marrakech also boasts annual cultural events such as the Art Biennalle, the Marrakesh Film Festival and has a host of action packed nightclubs,restuarants and hotels with appeal to both young and older travelers.
WHERE TO SHOP IN GUELIZ, MARRAKESH
MAISON LAB Marrakech’s leading contemporary home design shop located in the heart of Guéliz. Created by acclaimed New York interior designer, Marin Raffone, maisonLAB brims with modern objects and furnishings that reflect Raffone’s appreciation for the places he calls home (New York City and Marrakech). The chic double-height space features objects culled from around the world: bed/bath and other linens, tabletop, kitchen and utility, office, travel and personal items. All items are custom designed using local artisans with a high level of sophistication. Address: 44 Rue Tarik Bnou Ziad, Magasin No. 1 Phone: +212 524 43 39 36
MOOR Owned by fashion designer Yann Dobry of Akbar Delights in the medina, Moor features a selection of upscale Moroccan couture. Using the finest artisans and materials, Moor is known for its embroidered silk, cotton and linen tunics. The cool and calm colors throughout the shop create a relaxed shopping experience. Look up or even just on the walls – the décor, a selection of Moroccan home wares sourced from around the Kingdom, is also available!
Address: 7 Rue des Vieux Marrakchis , Guéliz
Phone: +212-0524-45-82-74 LALLAThe boutique and workshop of French designer, Lalla is one of our favorite stops along Rue de la Liberte. Colourful leathers
and funky accents are used to create one of a kind functional women’s handbags in a variety of sizes and shapes. Fringed handbags for a day out line the selves alongside a carryall big enough to take to work and even for the weekend. The accessories here are also fabulous with our favorites being the colorful and textured necklaces, the perfect addition to any outfit. Address: 5 Rue de la Liberte, Gueliz
Phone: +212-661-47-72-28
33 MAJORELLE
With two levels of design, fashion and accessories created by Moroccan and international designers, as well as the traditional Moroccan goodies like the green pottery from southern Morocco and a selection of funky babouche, this is the shop for trendy souvenirs and gifts. Like a high-end department store, new designers are exposed with the collectionc hanging regularly, giving this concept store the leading edge on the latest trends. A small gallery is attached and features a changing art exhibit. The location is perfect – across from Majorelle Gardens.
Address: 33 Rue Yves Saint Laurent, Gueliz
Phone: 212-524-31-41-95
WHERE TO EAT IN GUELIZ, MARRAKESH
KECHMARA For restaurants with dishes diverging from traditional Moroccan cuisine, head to the Ville Nouvelle, where many establishments serve lighter fare. Kechmara offers tasty sandwiches and salads in a sleek white-and-chrome dining room with a rooftop terrace. Live music plays every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights, and the restaurant often hosts exhibits of art and photography. Address: 3 De Rue La Libertie Phone: 212-524-42-25-32
AL FASSIA Once you pass the traditionally dressed doormen, this place is all-female and is run like a family kitchen. Set up by the well-known Chab family 20 years ago, this popular restaurant is now successfully managed by Myra Chab as a cooperative. A variety of Moroccan dishes are available, including specialties that require a day’s notice such as the dalaa mbakhra (steamed lamb shoulder) and chaâra medfouna (steamed vermicelli garnished with pigeon). The tagines and couscous here go against the grain in both ingredients and size. Chicken with caramelized pumpkin and lamb with eggplant are just two of the 13 tagine choices, and you’re served a portion that you might actually be able to finish. The desserts are delicious, so leave space for some seffa couscous in butter, sugar, milk, and cinnamon. Address: Aguedal & Gueliz Phone Gueliz: + 212-524-434-060
WHERE TO GALLERY HOP IN GUELIZ MARRAKESH
DAVID BLOCH GALLERY A leading gallery in Mararkechs new town, Gueliz that features a wide range of contemporary art. This loft-style gallery show cases sculpture, paintings and photography. Some well known artists that have been featured at David Bloch Gallery are world renown photographer, Steven McCurry, Graffiti artist Vincent Abadie Hafez and Mohamed Boustane, painter of technique of Arabic lettering. Address: Rue des Vieux Marrakechis Phone: +212-524457595
MATISSE GALLERY Located in the charming Passage Ghandouri, this Marrakech well known and trendie gallery is named after Henry Matisse. The galllery features works by Mahi Binebine, and henna paintings evoking Berber baraka (blessings) by Farid Belkahia along with the Moroccan artists Nourredine Chater, Mohamed Melehi, Hassan Hajjaj and Hassan El Glaoui. The artists show cased at Matisse Gallery are a combination of young, old and new on the Moroccan art scene. Address: 61 Rue de Yougoslavie, N° 43 Passage Ghandouri Phone: +212-524448326
GALLERIE 127 This gallery is for photographer lovers and a must visit. Gallerie 127 features the world of up-and-coming photographers that from Morocco and abroad. Owned and curated by Nathalie Locatelli, the gallery is wonderfully positioned on Mohammed V in central Gueliz. The loft-like space features wonderful architectural details and is located in an Art Deco building. Address: 127, Avenue Mohammed V, 2ème étage Phone: +212-524432667
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