Avenue Hassan II, Fes

The Ville Nouvelle is anchored around Avenue Hassan II, a broad boulevard developed by the French colonial administration post-1912, offering prime spots for people-watching, especially during pleasant weather and just after sunset. Numerous cafés lining the boulevard provide the perfect vantage point to unwind and watch the spectacle unfold after a leisurely stroll.

During the colonial era, the city's main public edifices were built along and adjacent to this central avenue, showcasing a blend of architectural styles including Moresque (neo-Moorish or Moroccan), Art Deco, and Neoclassical. Arcaded buildings on either side house cinemas, cafés, restaurants, terraces, ice cream parlors, and pastry shops. While primarily catering to tourists, the area also features upscale hotels like Hotel Barceló and modern shopping and entertainment centers such as Borj Fez.

A tree-lined park area running through the median, spanning about two kilometers, provides a verdant respite amidst the lanes of car traffic. At the northeastern end of the avenue lies Place de la Résistance, a large roundabout with a fountain at its heart. Further south, along the same avenue, lies Place Florence, a wide plaza planted with trees, originally conceived as a public garden. Finally, at the southwest end of the avenue, one finds Place Ahmed El Mansour.