Audio Guide: Fes New Town Walking Tour (Self Guided), Fes

While the Old Town-or Medina, as they call it-twists and turns on its own terms, the Ville Nouvelle, or the New Town of Fes, does things differently. Created by the French in the early 20th century and developed mainly in the 1910s, this district was designed to bring order, space, and modern infrastructure to the city. Wide streets replaced narrow lanes, open squares replaced hidden courtyards, and buildings began facing outward toward public life. At first, the area was meant for foreigners and wealthier Moroccans, while the Medina continued to carry the city’s deep historical and cultural weight.

Despite its calmer rhythm and cleaner lines, the New Town is not a side note to local life. It has grown into the most populated part of the city and functions as a practical, lived-in neighborhood rather than a showcase. For many residents, it represents a forward-looking version of Fes-less maze, more movement. Over the years, major investment has reshaped the area, giving it a confident, functional character that contrasts sharply with the Medina without trying to replace it.

The heart of this transformation runs along Avenue Hassan II, once known as Avenue de France. This broad boulevard sets the tone, with arcaded buildings, cafés, shops, cinemas, hotels, and government offices lining both sides. Palm trees, fountains, flower beds, and manicured lawns soften the scale, turning the avenue into a space where business, daily errands, and social life overlap naturally. It’s a place where the city slows down just enough to breathe.

Just off the main avenue, the Artisanal Centre brings tradition into this modern setting. Craftspeople work here with clay, wood, metal, and textiles, using techniques rooted in centuries of practice. The difference is the setting: organized, open, and easy to navigate, offering a clear window into Morocco’s craft heritage without the crowds of the Medina.

The New Town’s public squares reinforce its open layout. Florence Square, originally designed as a garden, works as a quiet pause between busy streets, while Resistance Square carries a more serious tone, recalling Morocco’s struggle for independence through its name and central fountain.

Religious life has its place in the New Town, too. The Imam Malik Mosque stands out with a simpler design than the Medina’s historic mosques, reflecting the district’s modern character while staying grounded in tradition.

To understand Fes as a living city, not just a historical monument, the New Town is essential. This self-guided tour invites you to explore its streets and spaces, revealing how Fes keeps moving forward without letting go of where it came from.