Ouarzazate

At the foot of the High Atlas this is a good base for exploring the Sahara and the land of the Kasbahs. It is a modern town developed in the 1920s as a garrison and administrative centre for the French Foreign Legion. It is less picturesque than most Moroccan cities which is probably why the anticipated Tourism boom never really happened. However, the town’s only sight – the Kasbah Taourirt, an old Glaoui palace built in Pisé is one of the most beautiful in Morocco. The Atlas studios on the other side of town have earned Ouarzazate a reputation as the Hollywood of the desert. A rather surreal sight because of the grand film sets in the wilderness and the studios are open for visitors.