Zagora comes from the Berber word “Tazagourt”, which plural, “Tizougar” designates the two peaks, called in Arabic “Djebelaïn”. From this rocky outcrop, one has a beautiful view over the Draa valley.

Zagora’s oasis was the departing basis of the Almoravids, who conquered later on Sijilmassa (near Rissani), then the whole Souss, and finally founded their capital in Marrakech. It’s also here that the Saadians started in the XVI° century.
It was at all times a caravan centre, the start of the big convoys crossing the Sahara, as reminds the painted shield, certainly the most photographed part of Zagora.

Like others in the South, the city itself was founded by the French at the times of colonization. It is a large administrative township, quiet and pleasant, which main quality is to “be where the road stops”. It is the end of the Draa valley, and to go farer southwards, you must, after a few kilometres, take the track and cross stony barren areas.

More eastwards, there are the Merzouga sand dunes, and the famous erg Chebbi. But in Zagora itself, and in the outskirts, you won’t find a lot to see.