Hello everyone!
As I was sitting at home the day before yesterday reading a book, my eyes fell on this decoration that my little sister gave me as a present a long time ago. It's a little wooden house that she bought when she was travelling with her husband to the town of Ifrane. The name of the town is written on the house in Arabic!
Looking at this decoration gave me the idea of taking a trip to this beautiful town and sharing it with you.
So yesterday I decided to set off from Meknes to Ifrane. Before starting the journey, I had breakfast in a restaurant near my home. I opted for a delicious traditional breakfast of eggs mixed with a little meat, accompanied by Moroccan tea with fresh mint. There's nothing like this type of meal to get the day off to an energising start!
Ifrane is one of Morocco's most beautiful towns, and has earned the nickname ‘the Switzerland of Morocco’ thanks to its breathtaking natural scenery and pure air. Located in the Middle Atlas Mountains, at an altitude of around 1,650 metres, it is one of the highest towns in the country. It is about 65 kilometres from Meknes, making it an ideal destination for a day trip.
During the journey, I was surrounded by beautiful scenery and vast expanses of green. I couldn't wait to get to Ifrane and start exploring its wonders and soothing calm. And frankly, this little town did not disappoint: the experience exceeded all my expectations.
Once in Ifran, my walk began in a peaceful little garden right next to the bus station. I stopped for a moment to appreciate the place. It's amazing how such a simple place can already put you in the mood for Ifrane: calm, clean and welcoming.
On the way to Parc Mohamed V, I took a long walk. The climate is a bit colder than in Meknes, but the charm and beauty of nature here made me forget the cold.
When I arrived at Parc Mohamed V, I felt like I was entering a little paradise, not far from the city centre and right next to a large roundabout in the centre of which is a giant, very pretty tree. I took the time to walk slowly, listen to the birds singing, and even sit on a bench to enjoy the peace and quiet.
The ‘crown’ square was a nice surprise. With its crown-shaped sculpture enthroned in the middle, this place reminded me of the historical and symbolic importance of this city. It's a perfect place for a quick photo break before continuing my walk.
Ifrane town centre is both modern and traditional. I loved wandering between the shops, cafés and little restaurants. This is also where you'll find the administration offices and banks... I also noticed that there are lots of hotels here!
In the city centre is the student residence of the famous Alakhawayn University: a prestigious institution known for its education system based on the American model. Founded in 1995, it offers a multicultural environment and a variety of programmes in the humanities, business, IT and engineering.
No visit to Ifrane is complete without a stop in front of the famous Lion of Ifrane. Standing in front of this massive sculpture, I felt a mixture of admiration and curiosity. The sculpture was made by a German prisoner during the Second World War.
The Lion of Ifrane is a popular attraction for tourists. Visitors like to take photos with the sculpture and it is said that rubbing the lion's paw brings good luck, but I personally don't believe in that 😊.
In any case, this lion is a unique landmark that adds to Ifrane's charm and interest.
A stone's throw away, the Lion garden offered me a quiet spot for a short break. This place has a magical natural elegance that really appealed to me!
Afterwards, I headed north along Boulevard Hassan 2 to a beautiful forest ‘The Fritillary’, and like all Moroccan cities the boulevards named after Hassan 2 are extraordinarily beautiful and show the value of the previous King Hassan 2 to the Moroccan people.
Here I am at ‘The Fritillary’ botanical garden. This place is incredible. In places like this I feel like I'm in another world. I loved getting lost among the tall trees and learning more about the unique flora of the region.
On the way back to the bus station, I passed through some charming old quarters. The narrow cobbled streets, private gardens and old stone houses gave the impression of stepping back in time. A perfect way to round off a day rich in discoveries.
This day in Ifrane was a real pleasure, and I hope you like the photos I've taken, so don't hesitate to share your impressions in the comments. See you soon for another trip!
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Photos taken by my own phone (Samsung Galaxy A04s).
