About RIAD MAG
Behind every door, a story.
A passion for Marrakech, a story to tell
Sometimes all it takes is pushing open a door in the Marrakech medina to step into another world.
Behind discreet façades and ochre walls lie light-filled courtyards, inner gardens, painstakingly assembled zellige and architecture that has stood the test of centuries.
RIAD MAG was born of that fascination.
Founded by Ilyas EL KADAOUI, a Franco-Moroccan entrepreneur with a deep attachment to Marrakech, RIAD MAG grew out of a simple wish: to help people discover, understand and tell the story of the captivating world of riads and medinas.
A world where heritage, architecture, the art of living, history and new ambitions meet.
Much more than riads
A riad is not just a traditional Moroccan house.
It is a story, an architecture, a craft, and sometimes the project of a lifetime.
Some have passed down through generations. Others come back to life after years of neglect. Many are being transformed, balancing respect for tradition with new ways of living, travelling and doing business.
RIAD MAG explores every one of these dimensions.
From the history of Marrakech's great houses to the techniques of its craftsmen, from the transformation of the medina to renovation projects, from guesthouses to property and legal questions, we want to tell the story of this world in all its richness.
With one conviction: even the most complex subjects deserve to be explained simply.
An independent perspective
RIAD MAG sets out to offer well-documented, accessible and rigorous content, without losing the pleasure of discovery.
We favour verifiable information, transparent sourcing and a diversity of perspectives.
Our articles, guides, analyses, selections and rankings are designed to help everyone understand this world better, whether they are architecture enthusiasts, owners, investors, professionals or simply in love with Morocco.
Commercial partnerships are clearly labelled and kept separate from editorial content.
RIAD MAG is neither a real estate agency nor a booking platform. We do not sell property and we take no part in any transaction.
Our purpose is to inform, to explore and to pass on.
Marrakech, and far beyond
It all begins in Marrakech.
In its alleys, its historic quarters, its craftsmen's workshops and its houses, whose doors sometimes hide unsuspected treasures.
But the story does not stop at the ramparts of the Red City.
From Fez to Essaouira, from Meknes to Tetouan, each of Morocco's medinas has its own identity, memory and traditions that deserve to be brought to light.
RIAD MAG intends to open its pages gradually to the whole of Morocco, then to share this world with an international audience.
In French, English and Arabic, with one ambition: to make this heritage accessible both to those who already know it and to those discovering it for the first time.
A living heritage, an eye on the future
Medinas are not museums frozen in time.
They live, change, welcome new generations and reinvent themselves every day.
How can their authenticity be preserved? How can they be renovated without losing their character? How can heritage, tourism, investment and everyday life be reconciled?
These questions lie at the heart of RIAD MAG.
We want to tell the success stories, understand the transformations, give a voice to those who bring these places to life and shed light on the challenges ahead.
Because behind every riad lies far more than an address.
A story to discover. A heritage to understand. A future to imagine.