La Bergerie, Morocco
On arriving at La Bergerie, one might be forgiven for thinking that one had somehow been transported to Provence. This small Auberge positively exudes French country charm.
The French owners, Francoise and Christian and the Berber staff will ensure you are made to feel very welcome. The Bergerie has seven simple and understated en-suite rooms, each decorated in a traditionally Moroccan style. They are all situated around a central courtyard in the main building of the Bergerie. The rooms are spacious, and each has its own private garden terrace with outstanding views of the surrounding countryside. New addtions to the property are 2 suites and 2 bungalows which are siutaed by the pool. As the auberge has been built with traditional Moroccan materials, the fact that the rooms do not have air-conditioning is not such a problem, as the rooms are naturally cool in summer. In winter the rooms are heated by open wood fires.
500 yards from the main building is the swimming pool and bar area, surrounded by a beautifully maintained flower garden, which attracts a host of butterflies in the summer months. Sunsets from the pool area can be magnificent as the location offers a 360º vista of the surrounding area. There are plans to move the restaurant, which is presently part of the main building, up to the pool area. This will afford the restaurant with spectacular views of the mountains. The food at the Auberge comes highly recommended, and lunch time in particular is a busy period with many people stopping off en route to other destinations for a bite to eat. The restaurant offers traditional Moroccan cuisine and homely French cooking La Bergerie is located in a dramatic valley, just outside the beautiful Berber village of Ouirgane.
Although just one hour's drive south of Marrakech, it is worlds apart from the frantic buzz of the medina. In winter the surrounding Atlas mountains are snow-capped, and in spring the valley is carpeted in red poppies and the almond blossom is breathtaking. From here it is easy access to Tin Mal, an ancient holy city of the Almohad Dynasty, and the location of the ruins of a 12th century mosque, which unusually is open to non-Muslims.
However, walking is very much the main attraction for visitors to this area. Walks can vary from easy going half or day excursions either by foot or by mule, which take the visitor through several small villages, with a guaranteed offer of a tea stop with a local Berber family, to the more strenuous two day walk up Mount Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa.
The owners will happily arrange a local guide to take you on one of these excursions, and we were particularly impressed with Saeed, a very enterprising young man whose local knowledge and excellent English made all the difference to our experience. However, whatever you choose to do whilst in Ouirgane, be it walking, mountain biking or simply relaxing by the pool, La Bergerie is a very pretty and charming place to while away your time in an incredibly beautiful location.
2009 price list
| La Bergerie, Morocco | Board Basis | All Year |
|---|---|---|
| 01.01-31.12 | ||
| Double room | HB | £74.00 |
| Standard suite | HB | £97.00 |
| Superior suite | HB | £102.00 |
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