Taroudant: The Little Marrakech with its Ochre Ramparts of the Souss

Taroudant is often nicknamed 'little Marrakech' for its almost entirely encircling ochre pisé ramparts, but it is far more authentic and less touristy than its big sister. At the foot of the High Atlas, in the fertile plain of the Souss, this Berber city of 80,000 inhabitants offers a lively medina, authentic artisan souks and an end-of-the-world atmosphere.

The Merinid ramparts, an architectural treasure

The ramparts of Taroudant extend for about 7 km and are among the best preserved in Morocco. Built mainly under the Saadian dynasty in the 16th century on older Merinid foundations, they measure between 5 and 8 metres in height and are flanked by regularly spaced square towers. Their ochre colour, identical to that of the surrounding earth, creates a harmonious visual continuity with the landscape.

A bicycle or carriage ride along the ramparts is one of visitors' favourite activities. From the tops of accessible towers, one can contemplate on one side the medina with its minarets and palm trees, and on the other the Souss plain stretching towards the snow-covered foothills of the High Atlas. This panorama is particularly striking in winter when the peaks are snow-covered.

The medina and its authentic souks

The medina of Taroudant is less labyrinthine than those of Fès or Marrakech, making it accessible without a guide. It is organised around two main squares: Place Assarag and Place Talmoktar, connected by themed souks. The brass-workers' souk (copper and bronze), the tanners' souk and the Berber jewellers' souk deserve a thorough stroll.

Taroudant is renowned for its Berber silver jewellery — rings, bracelets, necklaces and ornaments adorned with red coral and amber. These jewels, cheaper than in Marrakech for often better quality, are made by local craftsmen whose families have practised the trade for generations. Displayed prices are negotiable but remain reasonable.

The Souss plain and the liquid gold of the argan tree

Taroudant is at the heart of the Souss plain, one of Morocco's richest agricultural areas. Argan oil, extracted from the argan tree (Argania spinosa) — an endemic tree of the Souss-Massa region classified as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO — is one of Morocco's most precious products. The women's cooperatives around Taroudant allow you to see the traditional extraction process: Berber women crack the shell by hand, grind the almonds on a stone mill and press the oil manually.

The Souss plain also produces citrus fruits, tomatoes and avocados exported throughout Europe. A bicycle ride through the argan trees around Taroudant, where goats perched in the branches to eat the fruit is an astonishing spectacle unique in the world, is an experience few travellers forget. Argan trees cover more than 800,000 hectares of this region and act as a natural barrier against desertification.

Taroudant, ideal base for exploring southern Morocco

Taroudant makes an ideal base for exploring the little-touristed south of Morocco. Just 2 hours' drive away, the Ammeln valley with its blue and white painted houses in a setting of pink granite rocks of Tafraout is a striking spectacle. The Souss-Massa national park (40 km towards Agadir) protects Africa's last bald ibises and hundreds of migratory bird species.

The best time to visit Taroudant is from November to March, when temperatures are pleasant (20-28°C). In summer, temperatures can exceed 45°C on the plain. Agadir and its famous beach are 80 km away, allowing a combination of cultural authenticity and seaside relaxation. Tour Come Morocco often includes Taroudant in its 'Grand Tour of Morocco' circuits combining Marrakech, Ouarzazate, the Drâa and the Atlantic coast.

Souss gastronomy: amlou, argan honey and mountain tagines

The Souss-Massa region has developed a cuisine distinct from northern Morocco, intimately linked to local products. Amlou — a thick paste made of roasted almonds, argan oil and honey — is the unmissable Taroudant breakfast staple. Spread on freshly baked khobz bread from the communal oven, it is an explosion of rich, creamy flavours. The Taroudant souks sell artisanal amlou that travellers take home by the kilogram.

The proximity of the Anti-Atlas influences the cuisine with mountain tagines of dried vegetables, confit lamb and rare Berber spices. The town is also renowned for its argan honey — harvested from the argan trees of the Souss — and its olive oils from the High Atlas. Tour Come Morocco recommends a dinner in a medina riad to taste a lamb mechoui prepared on the embers in the traditional manner, accompanied by Moroccan salad with seven vegetables.