Place de la Resistance (Resistance Square), Fes

Resistance Square sits right at the handshake point between the New Town and the Old Medina, where modern traffic patterns meet centuries of history. At its heart is a large roundabout crowned by an oversized fountain that clearly enjoys being the centre of attention.

By day, it’s impressive enough; by night, it turns theatrical. Jets of water rise and fall in time with music, while lights flick on to underline the performance, transforming the square into something halfway between a civic landmark and an open-air stage. Locals have long claimed it as a favourite backdrop for wedding photos, and once you see the glow, the motion, and the drama, that choice makes perfect sense.

Now, head about 150 metres toward the Medina. You’ll know you’re on the right track when you pass the unmistakable golden arches.

Just beyond them stands Borj Fez, a three-level shopping complex that feels worlds apart from the narrow lanes ahead. Inside, you’ll find around 60 shops, a Carrefour hypermarket, a food court, and even a children’s play area—all neatly stacked under one roof. It’s the kind of place where air-conditioning, escalators, and retail therapy quietly prepare you for the sensory leap you’re about to make into the Old Town.

Together, this stretch tells a story Fes doesn’t always spell out. On the one side, a choreographed fountain celebrating modern public space; on the other, a shopping centre built for convenience and scale. And just beyond that, the Medina waits, dense, historic, and unapologetically old-school. Pause here for a moment. This is Fes shifting gears in real time...