Villa des Arts Casablanca
A 1934 art deco villa restored as a free public gallery of modern and contemporary Moroccan art.
Updated 29 August 2026
The villa was built in 1934 in the art deco manner for a wealthy Casablanca family and was restored and opened as a gallery in 1999 by the ONA Foundation, with a second Villa des Arts in Rabat following. Entry is free, which is unusual and deliberate. The programme is temporary exhibitions rather than a permanent hang - retrospectives of Moroccan modernists, group shows of contemporary artists, photography, and occasional international loans - along with talks, a small library and workshops. The building is the other half: rounded bay, geometric ironwork, terrazzo, and a garden, restored properly rather than gutted. It sits beside the Parc de la Ligue Arabe, the large planted park at the centre of the French city, and together with the Slaoui museum and the deco circuit it is the substance of a day in central Casablanca.
What to look for
- A 1934 deco villa - restored properly, with ironwork, terrazzo and a garden.
- Free entry - a deliberate policy at a private foundation gallery.
- Temporary programming - Moroccan modernists and contemporary shows rather than a fixed hang.
- A park setting - beside the Parc de la Ligue Arabe in the French city.
When to go
October to April. An hour or two, depending on the exhibition.
Before you go
There is no permanent collection - what is on varies and may not suit. Closed Mondays and between exhibition changes. Labelling is in Arabic and French. It is small.
Nearby
The Arab League park is beside it; the Slaoui museum is a short walk north.
Key facts
Source: Wikidata, item Q123419592, read on 18 October 2026.
What to pack for Villa des Arts Casablanca
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A refillable water bottle - Many cities have public fountains; save money and plastic. Find on Amazon
- A light layer + compact umbrella - For museum air-con and a sudden shower. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
