Although life gave me the chance to explore the world, returning to my first love has always been an ultimate goal.
The soft pink shades of the medina walls and the call of mosques resonating through the intertwined alleyways, make Fez the ideal place to lead a peaceful life. Too much maybe…
When four years ago, I got the chance to drop my suitcases in Cairo, I could not resist. Establishing a bridge between these two great historical cities of the Arab world, Fez, the spiritual one and Cairo, the victorious one, appeared to me as a challenge that I could not resist.
Today, I share my life, equally, between Fez and Cairo managing Riad Mayfez remotely, when I am not physically in Morocco.
MY LOVE STORY WITH MOROCCO STARTED ABOUT 50 YEARS AGO
Morocco opened its doors to me 50 years ago. When my parents moved to Agadir for work purposes, I was only a two-year-old little girl.
I soon found myself making local friendships at school. Shopping vegetables as well as cloth at the souk with my mother on Saturdays. Spending my Sundays at secluded beaches or indulging on long family walks at the now very “instagramable“ Paradise valley.
To me, the Berber simple yet beautiful lifestyle became my realty for eight unforgettable years.
A life that was simple, yet normal for a young girl, who had not known or could not remember experiencing anything else.
Plane fares where expensive and travelling back to France occurred only once a year. My parents were, driving all the way up from Agadir to Strasburg. I had the privilege to fly.
The family move to Germany when I reach the age of 11, felt to me like a leap into the void: a life changing experience from the sunny beaches to the foggy cities.
From then, my life became the one of a globetrotter. But, after many kilometers traveled from North to South, to East to West, although I have always adapted very well, I have had only one dream, which was settle in Morocco someday.
The dream came true in 2006, when we ended up buying our Palace in the medina of Fez, with my husband.
A LOVE STORY THAT LED ME TO FEZ
Fez has become my sanctuary in Morocco for about a douzain years.
For many, mentioning Morocco means often Marrakech. It is said that Marrakech awakens all your senses. For me, the Marrakech of my childhood, in the 70’s, has nothing to do with Marrakech today, but it is very much more similar to Fez nowadays.
One hundred thousand people are still living inside the old medina of Fez. Walking to their shops or to the mosque, the scent of spices, jasmine and orange blossom paves their way. The smell of fresh bread. The sweet nude tones of the Medina and the call to prayer echoing through the alleys. Everything makes of Fez, the perfect place to peaceful living.
And even though nurturing and growing a new business in Morocco is not easy, Morocco has given me so much, that I would not consider committing my time and energy elsewhere.
My home sweet home in Morocco
As far as I can remember, my first Moroccan home was a tiny flat with a see view, that I was sharing with my parents, on top of one of the new buildings built after the Earthquake in Agadir, back in 1960. From the balcony it also offered a view on the Kasbah of Agadir, which was left in ruins by the earthquake, which claimed the lifes of one third of the city’s inhabitants.
Since then, I would only consider settling down, in one of Morocco’s old cities.
When my husband and I passed the doors of Mayfez, in 2006, it was like a dream come true. The place was in ruins, but it did not frighten me at all. The moment I steped in, I could imagine it the way you see it today.
What I did not foresee, is that it would take six years to bring our palace its previous glory. Nearly four of them I spent in the Art Deco villa with my 5 years old son, while my husband had remained in Paris for work. The rest of the refurbishing and the planting were still under way. Hence, dust, ruts and builders punctuated the first years of my life in Fez.
What is life like, in a medieval city?
If at the very beginning, I had to count the street doors on my way home, to avoid getting lost in the allay maze. Once passed the door, I had to walk in the garden mud and use a torch at night to avoid slipping in the swimming pool hole.
There were good moments, others so bad that they made you cry. But it was all part of the journey to understanding a very different culture and way of living.
Yet, I loved everything about buying bread at the local oven, fruits and vegetable at Boujloud market stalls, black soap and other traditional beauty treatments at Rachid’s, my herbalist, who now supplies the Mayfez Spa.
Life was both simple and authentic but also demanding and frustrating sometimes. It was real life without polish.
MY LIFE BETWEEN 2 MAJOR CULTURAL CITIES OF THE ARAB WORLD
Today, I share my life, equaly, between Fez and Cairo managing Riad Mayfez remotely, when I am not physically in Morocco.
These last years, after following my husband to Zürich, I moved with him to Cairo. It is a truism to say that it was a shock! Yet I fell completely in love with Cairo’s old city, souks and amazing art craft. Unfortunately, it breaks my heart, to see that unless Fez and Marrakech, most of Cairo’s old city center has been left to the ravages of time. Just as the whole modern city, historical Cairo is overflooded by cars and historical buildings are in very bad condition. Yet, today as before, life goes on in this thriving city full of energy.
While staying there, my greatest pleasure is treasure hunting. Many of them are to be found spread around Mayfez.
WHILE STAYING IN FEZ, I LIVE A HOTEL LIFE.
While in Fez, I enjoying Mayfez’ infrastructure, our gourmet or healthy food served in the garden. I keep busy managing the service and setting. I do my best to make sure everything is perfect. Ultimately, I strive to make our guests feel special in their home away from home. In fact, I couldn’t have another dream in my life.
While in Fez, I am never tired of running the busy alleys of the Souk. Evenings, I enjoy the sunset and the call for prayer while indulging in one of the rooftop’s canopies. Sometimes, I like to savour one of our gin tonic infused with rosemary from our garden.
The more Mayfez grew famous, the more people, from all over the world, I started to meet. New bonds and connections bloomed and above all, those moments filled my soul so much.
SLOW TRAVEL, MY WAY OF DISCOVERING MOROCCO
Yet, since the beginning of the pandemic, our only obsession has been to pave the way for desperate travelers.
I think that experience has made us stronger, more united, more dedicated and more creative, but there is still a long way to go.
I strongly believe that explorers are still eager to hit the road, but they may well be more interested in taking the slow travel route.
Actually,«slow travel» has always been my philosophy and it is in the very DNA of Riad Mayfez since the beginning.
At Mayfez, my only wish is to inspire you to enjoy the moment, open your curiosity to explore the magic of Morocco and share the simplicity and beauty through an intimate and curated collection of secret places, so that you can bring unforgettable memories back home.