On the sidelines of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (2025 AfCON), Marrakech is showcasing its splendour.
Between iconic gardens and Berber heritage are guided tours at the pace of the ochre city.
Marrakech, the emblematic ochre city of Morocco, captivates with its energy and millennia-old history.
Located in the central-west of the kingdom, Marrakech stretches between the Atlas Mountains and the Haouz plains. Approximately 320 kilometres south of Rabat, the administrative capital, Marrakech embodies a major cultural crossroads.
On Monday, December 29th, the city was bathed in a luminous and welcoming atmosphere. It was a bit warm, tempered by a gentle coolness typical of a Marrakech winter.
The winter light revealed the colours and soothed the urban rhythm.
It is in this pleasant climate that a guided tour of the Majorelle Gardens is organised.
In the heart of the Gueliz district, the site attracts visitors and the curious. The guided tour offers a structured look at the history of the place.
The group moves forward among cacti, ponds, and shaded paths.
Achraf appears as the guide for the day. Dressed in black, sunglasses perched on his face, he leads the tour with confidence. His discreet presence accompanies their steps and glances. He shares
anecdotes and historical context with clarity, leading the tour in an attentive yet relaxed atmosphere.
A Journey into the Berber Soul
Inside the Berber Museum, the silence invites discovery. The collections reveal the richness of Morocco’s Amazigh cultures.
Achraf Meftahi, Head of Communications for the Majorelle Garden and Yves Saint Laurent, emphasizes the importance of this living memory.
“Here, each object tells a story and represents an identity,” he explains. The educational program highlights skills and traditions.
The visit continues, weaving together art, history, and the transmission of knowledge. The omnipresent Majorelle blue connects the garden and the museum.
The context is unique, marked by current sporting events. In connection with the Africa Cup of Nations that the kingdom is hosting from December 21st to January 18th, the turnout is significant. Achraf emphasises the importance of these cultural events during periods of major international affairs.
“Morocco demonstrates its hospitality through sport and culture,” he says.
Visitors leave feeling enriched and at peace. This day combines heritage and modernity. Led by organizers, notably the ANME (National Association of Media and Publishers), this initiative, scheduled from December 20, 2025, to January 2, aims to encourage cultural exchange alongside the AFCON.
Through this route connecting Casablanca, Rabat, Tangiers, Marrakech, Fez, and Agadir, the continental competition also serves as a showcase for the kingdom, its diversity, and its openness.
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