A walk through Tazentoute is recommended to see the ruins of the old mud-brick village and discover Berber rural life. The village is also home to an old ksar. A communal granary was under the protection of a marabout and has now fallen into ruin.
Discover the Village’s History on Foot
The walk brings together two aspects of the recommended exploration: the architectural remains of the old mud-brick village and an insight into Berber rural life. The ksar and granary add distinctive points of interest. The granary’s history includes its communal purpose, its former protection by a marabout, and its current state of disrepair. Tazentoute therefore invites visitors to explore both the village on foot and tangible traces of its local history.
Ouarzazate Province: Landscapes and Nature
For a broader regional perspective, it is worth looking at the wider destination of Ouarzazate Province. The eastern foothills of the Anti-Atlas in Ouarzazate Province encompass broad, stony plains and valleys cut through by impressive gorges. In the southern foothills of the Central High Atlas, there are tall, sheer rock faces; Jbel Azourki reaches 3,685 metres. These descriptions show the range of landscapes within the province: broad plains and deeply cut valleys on the one hand, and striking rock faces on the other.
The river network is also part of this regional picture. The Dades, Ouarzazate and Ait Douchen rivers, together with their tributaries, form the upper Drâa Basin. The Mansour-Eddahbi Lake provides habitat for migratory and breeding bird species, including the Bonelli’s eagle, as well as other birds of prey, songbirds and larks. For nature enthusiasts, the landscapes and the lake’s seasonal use by various bird groups are both features of Ouarzazate Province.
Architecture, History and Film
In Ouarzazate, the history of the Taourirt Kasbah dates back to the 12th century. It was once the residence of Pasha el Glaoui and has been recognised as a national heritage site since 1953. Its well-known architectural features include crenellated towers and cedar ceilings. Telouet has a different history: for centuries, the village was an important transit point for caravans that had to pay customs duties to the Glaoui tribe. The Kasbah of Telouet is a 19th-century citadel that combines a stately residence with military command functions along the region’s caravan route.
Film history and crafts are also among the attractions of the wider destination of Ouarzazate Province. The Ouarzazate Film Museum officially opened on 30 July 2007 and features film sets relating to biblical history and major films shot in the region. The Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou served as a film set for major international productions. In Ouarzazate, an arts and crafts complex houses six workshops producing works in alabaster, High Atlas stone, fossilised stone, wood, copper and jewellery. The Grand Bazaar of Taourirt offers carpets, ceramics, copper and woodwork, antiques and various accessories, among other items.
Discover more destinations: Afeggou, Douar Ait M'ghar, Tinghir, Mhamid, Tamegroute, Ait Bouih Ben Ali, Ikhf nʼOuzerg, Anza.
View the wider travel guide: Souss-Massa-Draa.
