Casablanca Art Deco

Duration: 9:00am - 4:00pm

Morocco Travel: In Luxury 4x4 English, French Speaking Driver, Guide

Starting & Finishing Point: Your Art Deco Hotel in Casablanca or the Port 

Casablanca is the capital of Art Deco. As one of the most famous cities visited by first time travelers to Morocco, Casablanca is sought after for it's Art Deco masterpieces admired by architects, interior designers and artists. Visiting Art Deco historic sites on a Casablanca one-day private tour is a rewarding way to discover this sprawling cosmopolitan city.

Architectural Digest's January 2016 issue highlights Casablanca as an emerging destination as does Jean-Louis Cohen, co Author of the book Casablanca: Colonial Myths and Architectural Ventures. Cohen sites "Casablanca asbeing of the most creative cities of all of France's empire laid out according to an imaginative plan, with beautiful parks, striking architecture, from late Art Noveau and Art Deco to radically modern." As a leading destination for Art Deco and 20th Century Architecture, the association of Casamemorie was created to safeguard the architectural heritage of the city and Morocco.  

Casablanca's grand boulevard's are lined with ornate, Colonial Era Architecture alongside Art Deco buildings, Art Deco Villas and historic Mauresque landmark's nestled between or on side streets.

While Casablanca is the leading Moroccan city sought after for it's  Art Deco Architecture, following alongside is Gueliz, Marrakech and the Coastal town of Sidi Ifni. 

Book a Casablanca Art DecoTour by calling (800) 787-8806). Let us be your guide to Morocco Travel Guide.

►Pick up at the Your Hotel or the Port in Casablanca at 9:00am.

►Start your morning with a leisurely drive and overview of Art Deco Casablanca. Make sure you have a camera in hand to take pictures of the famous clock tower, Art Deco hotels, the eleven story Moretti apartment block and the high rise Art Deco buildings covered with loggias, columns, zellij tiles and geometric carvings on Boulevard Mohammed V with Art Deco facades.

►General Lyautey, the first French resident of Morocco and empire builder created a nouvelle (new) Casablanca which brought about Mauresque. Mauresque is a architectural style that blended traditional Moroccan designs with liberal influences of 20th Century Europe. This style later became reflective of Parisian Art Deco of the 1930's. Many of these buildings have been refurbished and offer a keen reminder of Casablanca's French protectorate history. 

►During this Guided Tour of Casablanca Art Decoyou will visit the   following Art Deco Masterpieces and Historic Sites:

Grande Poste, built in 1918 the Main Poste

Office still has original Art Deco Architecture and Fittings

The Palais de Justice, built in 1925, with a Moroccan flag on top that is surrounded by palm trees and elaborate style courtyards.

Cinema Rialto, a cinema built in the 1930's with an Art Deco red and white facades. It is this cinema where Josephine Baker first had her debut performing for American soldiers. 

Wilaya (Prefecture), administrative building with original Art Deco Clock Tower.

Facades along Rue Idriss Lhrizi, a street where numerous Art Deco facades can be found.

Hotel Guynemer, built in 1909 this 3 star hotel has 29 guest rooms and charming Art Deco façade and interior.
Hotel Transatlantique, built in 1922 this is one of Casablanca’s architectural gems.

Hotel Lincoln, built in 1917 by French architect Hubert Bride, this is one of Casablanca’s architectural Art Deco gems that is in ruins yet has a charming façade worth visiting.

Imperial Hotel, currently a 4 Star Boutique Hotel that is a World War II site and once served as General Patton's headquarters.

Famous Residential Blocks of Glaoui,Bessonneau and the Asayag. Sightsee Casablanca residential buildings with Art Deco facades and ornate ironwork.

Villa Des Arts, built in 1934, this historic building is one of Casablanca's leading works of Art Deco Architecture. Villa Des Arts is part of the ONA Foundation created to promote the arts. It offers rotating exhibitions and has a permanent collection. 

►Explore Marche Centrale, Casablanca’s main market and get a taste of local culture. Marche Central is a charming market with vibrant colored stalls that sell local Moroccan crafts along with a myriad of fresh produce, fish and shellfish caught daily on both the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts of Morocco along with other daily items. Marche Central has an exotic spice market and is a popular place where Casablancans dine locally outdoors.

►Lunch Recommendation: Paul Cafe, Villa Zevaco, an Art Deco Villa built in 1947.

►Visit the Mosque of Hassan II. Casablanca is home to the Hassan II Mosque, designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau. It is situated on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic Ocean, which can be seen through a gigantic glass floor with room for 25,000 worshippers.  

►The Mosque of Hassan II's promontory offers lovely views overlooking Casa in the residential Afna quarter. After touring the Mosque, head over to the New Town of Casablanca also designed by the French architect Henri Prost for an hour of shopping. The main streets of the New Town (Ville Nouvelle in French) radiate south and east from Place des Nations Unies, where the main market of Anfa had been. The New Town you past in your morning journey is possibly the most impressive in Morocco. Former administrative buildings and modern hotels populate the area. Their style is a combination of Hispano- Mauresque and Art Deco styles.

►End your day with a brief tour and cocktail on the terrace of Le Doge Hotel & Spa, a boutique hotel located in a restored Art Deco Villa.