“I’ve always been captivated by the desert. Sitting atop a sand dune, you see nothing and hear nothing. Yet in that silence, something vibrates and sparkles,” writes Antoine de Saint-Exupery in The Little Prince. The Sahara, which means “dessert” in Arabic, is the largest desert on the planet, a vast stretch of sun that divides Africa. The striking landscapes of the Ouarzazate area have been featured in numerous films. If you’ve watched Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Gladiator (2000), or the TV series Game of Thrones, you’re already familiar with this southern Moroccan gem. It’s celebrated by filmmakers for its breathtaking light and diverse scenery.

Travelling through the winding Tizi n’Tchika pass in the High Atlas Mountains, you’ll leave the plains of Marrakech and arrive at the desert’s threshold, a realm known for sudden sandstorms, monumental kasbahs, and a dazzling night sky. An unforgettable road trip begins in Ouarzazate, following ancient caravan paths. As you journey through the lush Dades Valley – often called the “Valley of One Thousand Kasbahs” – you’ll encounter nomadic Berber tribes guiding their goats to graze by the riverbanks. Just as lavender defines Provence in France, roses are synonymous with the Dades Valley; you can’t resist picking up at least one! If you’re fortunate, you might partake in the “Moussem,” an annual festival celebrating the blooming of roses.