Heure Bleue Palais has an extraordinary location: at the gates of the historic old city known as the Medina, the hotel is also just minutes away from the beach and surrounds of the city. The many activities and leisure options available are tailored to a clientele with many interests in a city that combines a huge spectrum of culture and sportiness.
Numerous activities are on offer in and around the UNESCO World Heritage Medina. Discover the old town with your own private guide on a 2 hour tour. Your guide meets you at Heure Bleue Palais and returns you to the hotel at the end of the tour.
The construction of the Sugar Factory, attributed to the Saadian dynasty, dates from the 16th century, It is a real pre-industrial factory which will contribute to the influence of the region and the know-how of the Saadians, it will be operated for 20 years (between 1578 and 1603 ) and will allow the transformation of cane sugar into brown sugar, then shipped to Italy in exchange for Tuscan marble. The sugar refinery was supplied by the river Ksob wadi thanks to an aerial aqueduct which at the time was 13 km with a drop of one meter of slope per kilometer. Today, these ocher remains are the remains of the aqueduct which connected the factory to the Ksob wadi, we can still guess the traces of the waterwheel which crushed the sugar cane. Many debris of sugar loaf mussels were found on the site, which now presents only a splendid landscape where nature has reclaimed its rights among the argan trees. The Gnaouas of Essaouira are said to be the descendants of the slaves working in the sugar factory.
There are three saltworks in the province of Essaouira that of Ida Ouazza on the road to Agadir near Douar (village) Tisgharin, that of Smimmou and a last, less known, north of Essaouira, on the road to Safi . That of Ida Ouazza is the most productive, in season, in this valley more than 700 men work to extract the salt intended for food as well as for industry, it is known for its qualities and its brilliance, but also for its slightly pinkish color. By taking the track which overhangs the saltworks, discover impressive white mounds as well as a multitude of ponds from which the workers extract the fleur de sel manually
Sidi Kaouki Beach : A popular surf spot and ideal for camel riding. 30km south of Essaouira towards Agadir. Don’t miss the freshly caught grilled fish at kiosks in the square!
Essaouira attracts many artists & painters, art galleries can be found all over the town. The best known are:
For many years the main square, streets and lanes of the Medina come alive with Essaouira’s calendar of musical festivals, including the Gnaoua & World Music festival, the Alizés musicale and the Andalusies Atlantiques festival. For more information about upcoming festival dates contact us on +212 (0) 524 78 34 34 or at [email protected]
Nestled in a valley between the sea and inland plain, the Val d’Argan area benefits from the mixed climate of ocean breeze and Saharan heat, producing wines with unexpected flavours. The 30ha property includes olive and Argan trees, from which the domain has taken its name. These trees grow only in Morocco and yield an olive-like fruit. The estate also produces Argan oil.
