French Moroccan Friendship

… Dar Moulay Ali Maison de la France in Marrakech opened its doors in May 2017 within the Dar Moulay Ali French consular residence in the Medina. Managed by the Institut Francais of Marrakech, the site offers a place of exhibition, history and relaxation

Dar Moulay Ali Maison de la France Marrakech | Riad Al Ksar

History of Dar Moulay Ali Maison de la France

Beside the Koutoubia Mosque and Jemaa El Fna Square, this 19th century mansion was the home of the Prince Mulay Ali Prince.

Bought by France, Dar Moulay Ali, located in the so-called “Princes zone”, became the residence of the generals of the French army during the French protectorate. Since 1958, the residence has nestedthe France’s consular headquarters. In March 2007, the Consulate General of France was transferred to Gueliz and Dar Moulay Ali remained simply the residence of the Consul General of France.

Dar Moulay Ali Maison de la France Marrakech | Riad Al Ksar

Closed since March 2007, the former consulate premises, adjacent to the consul’s residence, have been undergone since 2014 and during 3 years an important restoration undertaken by both Moroccan and French patrons. On 22 May 2017, the new Espace Dar Moulay Ali Maison de la France was inaugurated. The former consulate premises, notably the former consuls’ hall and the former wedding hall, entrusted to the Institut Francais of Marrakech, are now partly accessible to the public.

Institut Francais & French Embassy

Eric Gérard, Consul General of France and Christophe Pomez, Director of the Institut Francais (French Institute) of Marrakech, in the presence of His Excellency Mr. Jean-François Girault, Ambassador of France to Morocco, were able to recall on 22 May 2017 that this magnificent palace symbolizes the long relationship of friendship between France and Morocco and perpetuates the spirit of this exceptional place by continuing to be a space for encounters and meetings. La Maison de la France includes a room dedicated to the consular residence; an exhibition gallery; a tea room and a travel boutique.

Dar Moulay Ali Maison de la France Marrakech | Riad Al Ksar

The two authors, Professor Hamid Triki and Richard Edwards, have also written the book “Dar Moulay Ali, voyage au coeur de la mémoire” which retraces the history of this historic residence.

French Institute – Institut Francais in Morocco

The French Institute https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institut francais is present all over the world. It is placed under the supervision of the French Republic’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture. Its objective is to deploy cultural diplomacy and influence. There are 96 French institutes and 445 French alliances worldwide. The teaching of the French language is an important mission of the French Institute, but it also has an impact on the popularization of French-language cinema, artistic and cultural dissemination (music, literature, theatre, dance, architecture, digital, etc.) as well as on partnerships between France and abroad. In Morocco, a country with a strong French-speaking tradition, the French Instituthttps://if-maroc.org/ is the largest French cultural institution in the world.

institut francais maroc meknes – Riad Al Ksar

It has 12 branches in Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, Rabat, Fez, Meknes, Tetouan, Oujda, Essaouira, Agadir, Kenitra and El Jadida. No less than 800 cultural events are organized every year.

In Marrakech, the French Institute is located on the Targa road, at the north-west exit of Gueliz, close to the Lycee Victor Hugo called Lycée Français.

But he also has the Riad Denise Masson in medina, 49 Derbzemrane Bab Doukkala.