Tunis, Tunisia
Street in Tunis, Tunisia
Avenue de France is one of the busiest streets in central Tunis, the continuation of Avenue Habib Bourguiba. It runs from Place de l'Indépendance, by the Cathedral of St Vincent de Paul, to Bab el Bhar, the gate that divides the modern city from the medina, so it is the walk that takes you from new Tunis into the old souqs. It flourished under the French protectorate, lined with banks, consulates, transport agencies, offices and department stores, including the well-known Magasin Général, and trams ran from here from 1884, operated by a private company, until 1959. Its façades still show the styles of that era: wrought-iron balconies, Art Nouveau and Art Deco ornament and arched windows. It has kept its commercial character, with clothing and shoe shops, bakeries and busy cafés. It was once home to long-established bookshops and today houses the national university centre for scientific and technical documentation.
Walk it from Place de l'Indépendance towards Bab el Bhar and look up at the old façades. Morning and late afternoon, when it is full of people, are best. It is crowded, so keep an eye on your bag. Use it as your way into the medina and the Zitouna Mosque, a few minutes beyond the gate.
Hours and prices change — check before you go. Source: ar.wikipedia.org
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MosqueTunis, Tunisia
