Café de France in Marrakech: the historic terrace on Jemaa el-Fna
The Café de France is one of the multi-storey cafés that line Jemaa el-Fna square in the Marrakech medina. Opened in 1912 according to our guide to cafés and pastries, it has become an institution: people climb up to drink mint tea while the square shifts from daylight to the lamps of the evening food stalls. Its terraces on several levels look over the square, the Koutoubia minaret and, on a clear day, the Atlas. This is not a place to eat well: you come for the view, by ordering a drink. To compare with the other rooftops in town, see our panoramic terraces of Marrakech; for dinner, where to eat near Jemaa el-Fna.
Highlights
The view from the upper floors
Go up to the top level for the clearest view over the square, the medina rooftops and the Koutoubia. Front-row seats are often held for a long time by the same customers: come early or accept a table set back.
Tea at sunset
Mint tea and cold drinks cost roughly 25 to 40 MAD (an observed order of magnitude; the menu is what counts). One drink is enough to stay; service can be slow at peak times.
Watching the square light up
In the late afternoon the grill stalls set up and the halqas form. Seen from above, the show is calmer and easier to read than in the crowd. For the square itself, see Jemaa el-Fna.
Practical info
Tips
- Entry is free; you pay for your drink. Look at the menu before you sit down: prices on the terraces around the square are clearly higher than two streets away. Meals served on these terraces are expensive for what they are: have a tea, then dine elsewhere. Keep your phone and wallet in a closed pocket when crossing the square. For another terrace facing the square, see the Grand Balcon du Café Glacier in our guide to terraces. To stay nearby, see the hotels near Jemaa el-Fna on Booking; to discover the souks with a guide, a full-day guided city tour with medina and gardens can be booked online.
How to get there
Jemaa el-Fna square, Marrakech medina, on the edge of the square. The square is pedestrian: petit taxis drop you at the edge, on the Koutoubia side or Avenue Mohammed V (insist on the meter or agree the fare before getting in). The Koutoubia is about 5 minutes on foot. The square is being redeveloped: some areas may be under works.
Opening hours
Nearby
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