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Full day Carthage - Sidi Bou Said - Bardo - Médina

A partir de 56 € / per person - 1 jour(s)

Carthage (from the Phoenician Kart-Hadasht, or Qrthdst, i.e. the new city), in Arabic ( Qartaj) is a city in North Africa, located near Tunis (Tunisia). The ancient Punic capital, destroyed by the Romans, is today a suburb of Tunis and an important archeological and tourist site .

 

The site of Carthage is dominated by the hill of Byrsa, which was the center of the Punic metropolis. Today, it is distinguished by the massive silhouette of the Saint Louis Cathedral, built at the end of the 19th century on the presumed site of the burial place of the King of France who died there during the last crusade. For the anecdote, King Louis-Philippe I, who was a descendant of Saint-Louis, had sent an architect to find its most precise location. Given the impossibility of such a mission, he simply chose the most beautiful place.

 

Right next to the cathedral, in front of the tomb (empty, its remains were repatriated to France) of Saint-Louis, are the remains of the most important district of the city. Only a few foundations and fragments of columns remain, but one can measure there the power which emanated from the city: immense site, large spaces, panoramic views, organization of the streets.

 

 

Sidi Bou Said: Participants will have 1 hour to stroll through the cobblestone streets of this little jewel of the Mediterranean accompanied by our guide who will not fail to enlighten them on the history of "Sidi Bou".

Perched on the heights of a holy hill located a few kilometers from Carthage, this beautiful village overlooks with pride the bay of Tunis.

At the same time religious cradle and muse of the art, this village knew the impulses inspired by the big ones of this world. The village is also a place of pilgrimage of European artists such as the French writers André Gide and Georges Bernanos as well as

The German painter Paul Klee, who frequented the now famous Café des Nattes, juche at the very top of the village.

But before you stop to sip a delicious mint tea on the terrace of this café, take the time to wander through the streets of the village to enjoy the vision of the immaculate houses, with their azure windows hiding behind their studded doors jasmine gardens that stand out thanks to the scents they spread.

 

 

The Bardo: is today one of the most important museums in the world. Its reputation is due to the quality and the variety of its archaeological pieces, jewels resulting from a Tunisian history rich of several millennia and several civilizations. However, the building, too, does not lack interest.

Built in the second half of the 19th century, this space was intended to serve a palatial purpose rather than a cultural function; however, when it became a museum in 1882, and was named Alaoui Museum - after the sovereign of the time, Ali Bey (1882-1902) - it was fortunate to be used for a purpose that made it a high place of culture and civilization. 

 

Continue to the Medina (~ 5km, 15mn drive, the heart of historic Tunis) one of the best preserved Islamic cities in the world. Walk through the meandering streets, viewing the architecture of some residential quarter, as well as the activity and excitement of the souks. Also see the great Mosque of Djamaa-ez-Zitouna, walking through Souk Echaouchin (Traditional cap makers market) and Souk El Attarine (Perfume market).

 

 

NB: The rate is quoted on the basis of 20 pax.