The House of Photography (Maison de la Photographie) occupies a restored old medina house on Rue Ahl Fès, a few minutes’ walk from the Ben Youssef Madrasa. Collectors Patrick Manac’h and Hamid Mergani opened it in 2009 to share images of Moroccan life captured by both Moroccan and foreign photographers, mostly from the 1870s to the mid-twentieth century.
The collection runs to thousands of prints, glass plates, and negatives, though only a selection hangs at any time. Rooms on several floors rotate themes such as Berber villages of the High Atlas, Saharan caravans, city portraits, and early studio work. Black-and-white portraits and documentary street scenes appear alongside landscapes, according to Aidventuro. A small screening room shows an early color documentary filmed in the Atlas in the 1950s. The visit ends on the rooftop terrace café, with mint tea and views across medina rooftops toward the mountains on clear days.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
The museum opens daily, typically from morning until early evening. Arrive soon after opening, or in the late afternoon, to see the narrow galleries before tour groups heading to nearby Ben Youssef arrive. Tickets are sold at the door. Prices and hours change, so check the latest visitor guidance before you go. Pair your visit with the Ben Youssef Madrasa and Le Jardin Secret, both within a short walk. The alleys are hard to navigate, so follow the posted signs rather than offers from self-appointed guides.
