You would like to be active but you don’t necessarily want to sweat on a soccer field or in a gym. How about exploring the wonders of your city... on foot! First stop: Casablanca.

Today’s route is about 6km long. In one hour, you can tour the city’s main art deco buildings and burn up to 400 calories. Let’s go!

1 – Excelsior Hotel

This is where our tour starts. Built in 1914, Excelsior is the first hotel to be built outside the city walls. On site, take the time to admire its Moorish architecture, typical of its time.

2 – Glaoui building

Don’t move from where you are, just look to the left to admire the “Glaoui building”, which dates back to the 20s. Antoine de Saint Exupéry lived there for a while. Walk through the Glaoui shopping alley to admire its three glass rotundas, old stores, etc. These alleys were created to allow neighbors to benefit from a greater separation distance and to generate income to help with property management costs. Smart!

3 – Mohammed V Avenue

Welcome to one of the most beautiful avenues in the city! As you walk along, you will notice that you are almost always in the shade. It’s quite normal, in the 20’s, this avenue linked the port to the train station (Casa Voyageurs). It was designed so that the merchants (and their goods) were always sheltered from the sun and rain.

4 – Marché central (Central Market)

Along with the courthouse and the post office, this is one of the very first buildings in the modern city (as opposed to the medina). While there, take the time to enjoy some oysters and talk to the antique dealers. Before leaving, remember that in 1953, this market was the scene of an armed intervention that was decisive in accelerating the process of Morocco’s independence.

5 – Assayag building

Designed by French architect Mauris Boyer in the 1930s, the Assayag building has stood the test of time and remains remarkably contemporary with its 8 floors and 3 duplexes overlooking the city. As you admire it, simply note that it is one of the first buildings in the world to have a parking lot, a staircase ventilation system, etc. Feel free to push the main gate and talk to the property manager, who is always available.

6 – The administrative square

Still some meters to go before we make a U-turn. Direction: Bank Al Maghrib. The building was built in 1937, just in front of the post office, the Wilaya and the courthouse. This administrative square was built by General Lyautey to remind him of the great square of Nancy, his home town.

There is still so much to discover, but well done, you have already walked 6 km!