Bonjour, and welcome to Le Grand Sud! My name is Jean-Claude. I am a retired architect from France. For the most of my working life, I travelled the world as a senior architect to the hotelier industry. Having thus travelled for 40 years, upon my retirement I decided to move to the place that had moved me the most....

There are many wonderful countries, but it was Morocco that called me back; the incredible beauty, the rugged landscapes, the friendly and passionate local people, the vitality of the culture, the amazing cuisine, the endless sun and the sheer exhilaration of having great fishing here all combined to make my decision very simple.

My partner Julie and I travelled extensively throughout Morocco, looking for that place with the perfect balance of adventure, culture and opportunity, whilst avoiding the tourist traps and soiled charms of those areas, like in the north, that had already fallen to the ever-present developers. (To be completely honest, I was also looking for some excellent fishing places, to indulge my passion!)

Finally, we found Sidi Ifni, and it is here, in this small town of 30,000 people, we have chosen to stay. The local people are genuinely friendly, the local traditions have not fallen to tourist operators and the fishing is superb. (It is here on the massive cliff faces overlooking the ocean that the technique of “à la pelotte” evolved; little known outside of this province, pelotte can be considered to be a variation on fly fishing. Using special lures that are hand crafted using centuries-old methods, pelotte fishing is truly an incredible experience, even for non-anglers.)

The terrain of the area is quite stunning and diverse, seemingly a place frozen in time. Sterile uniformity does not exist here; instead, grand mountains, endless vistas and desert landscapes contrast with the charming villages and the luxurious oasis.

For those who wish to experience these things first hand, we offer traditional Berber accommodation, highly experienced local guides and, ultimately, the opportunity for you to experience a real adventure with a trip completely customised to your itinerary and your preferences. Our clients will have the opportunity to have some great fishing, learning the techniques of pelotte fishing from the traditional experts, or visiting genuine Berber villages, where you can assist with the preparation of traditional dishes and learn of their culture.

I invite you to take this journey with us, to experience firsthand the unforgettable land that is South of Morocco. We want you to share in the excitement of getting off the beaten track, into new territory, and doing new things.

Jean-Claude

PS: It is my hope that this website will give you answers for any questions you may have. If it doesn’t, please feel free to contact me - I will assist you as best I can.