Dar Moulay Ali
In the Dar Moulay Ali French consular residence in Medina, Dar Moulay Ali Maison de la France in Marrakech first opened its doors in May 2017.
The facility, which is run by the Institut Français de Marrakech, provides a venue for exhibitions, history, and recreation.
History of Dar Moulay Ali
Beside the Koutoubia Mosque and Jemaa El Fna Square, this 19th-century mansion was the home of Prince Mulay Ali Prince.
During the French protectorate, the generals of the French army resided at Dar Moulay Ali, a building France purchased in the so-called “Princes zone.”
The residence has served as France’s consular HQ since 1958.
In March 2007, the French consulate general was relocated to Gueliz, and Dar Moulay Ali was left as the consul general’s home.
The former consulate building, which is next to the consul’s home, has been closed since March 2007 but has received significant repair by Moroccan and French benefactors during the past three years.
The brand-new Espace Dar Moulay Ali Maison de la France was launched on May 22, 2017.
The Institut Francais de Marrakech now has partial public access to the former consulate grounds, including the former consuls’ hall and the former wedding hall.
French Embassy and the French Institute
In the presence of His Excellency Mr. Jean-François Girault, Ambassador of France to Morocco, Eric Gérard, Consul General of France, and Christophe Pomez, Director of the Institut Francais (French Institute) of Marrakech, were able to recall on May 22, 2017, that this magnificent palace represents the long friendship between France and Morocco and upholds the spirit of this exceptional place by continuing to be a place for encounters and meetings.
In addition to an exhibition gallery, a tea parlor, and a travel shop, La Maison de la France has a room designated for the diplomatic home.
The two authors, Professor Hamid Triki and Richard Edwards have also written the book “Dar Moulay Ali, voyage au Coeur de la mémoire” which retraces the history of this historic residence.
French Institute
The French Institute exists everywhere in the world.
It is governed by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture of the French Republic. Its goal is to exert influence and use cultural diplomacy.
Worldwide, there are 445 French alliances and 96 French institutes.
One of the main goals of the French Institute is to teach the language, but it also has an impact on the diffusion of the arts and cultures (music, literature, theater, dance, architecture, digital, etc.), as well as on relationships between France and other countries.
The biggest French cultural organization in the world is located in Morocco, a nation with a long history of French language and culture.
It has 12 branches in Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, Rabat, Fez, Meknes, Tetouan, Oujda, Essaouira, Agadir, Kenitra and El Jadida. No less than 800 cultural events are organized every year.
In Marrakech, the French Institute is located on the Targa road, at the northwest exit of Gueliz, close to the Lycee Victor Hugo called Lycée Français.
