Stone Lion

Ifrane


Ifrane’s landmark is the stone lion that sits on a patch of grass near the Hôtel Chamonix. It was carved by a German soldier during WWII, when Ifrane was used briefly as a prisoner-of-war camp, in exchange for the prisoner's freedom – or so the story goes – and commemorates the last wild Atlas lion, which was shot near here in the early 1920s. Having your picture taken with the lion is something of a ritual for Moroccan day trippers.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Ifrane attractions

1. Oued Tizguit

1.15 MILES

One of the Ramsar sites in the national park, this wetland southeast of Ifrane is home to rare insects (caddisfly and stonefly) and plants (Atlas daisy)…

2. Cèdre de Gouraud

7.56 MILES

A spot for viewing Barbary macaques similar to Moudmame, this area has a large car park, picnic tables, toilets and an enormous dead cedar tree. There are…

3. Souq

8.28 MILES

Azrou's weekly souq is one of the largest in the Middle Atlas and truly a sight to behold, but it's not a souvenir-fest: mountain people come from…

4. Moudmame

8.57 MILES

If you're desperate to see Azrou's furry famed locals, it's a piece of cake – just outside town, Moudmame (meaning 'hawthorn') is a popular forest picnic…

5. Toumliline Monastery

9.2 MILES

The ruins of this Benedictine monastery on the edge of the forest is a little eerie. The monks left in 1980; only the church and a troop of monkeys…

6. Dayet Aoua

9.49 MILES

Dayet Aoua is surrounded by woodlands in an area notably rich in bird life. The lake is a popular picnic destination for families on weekends, but during…

7. Guigou Souq

18.96 MILES

The huge main souq takes over the eastern side of this small town on Sundays. In amongst all the fresh produce, seek out the Amazigh women weavers for…

8. Guigou Sheep Souq

19.55 MILES

Just over the Guigou River east of the town are the showgrounds that host the livestock market on Sunday mornings. Come early to watch men test-riding…

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