French Institute of Casablanca

A cultural campus in central Casablanca

The French Institute of Casablanca is one of the principal branches of the Institut français du Maroc. Located at 121–123 Boulevard Mohamed Zerktouni, close to Arab League Park and the Gauthier district, it combines artistic programming, public reading, French-language education, digital culture, student mobility and international cooperation on one urban campus.

The venue should not be understood as a single theatre or language school. Theatre 121, Gallery 121, adult and children’s media libraries, a FabLab, a digital museum, landscaped outdoor areas, classrooms and the Casablanca Campus France office operate within the same ecosystem. Each service has its own timetable, registration process and access conditions.

Theatre 121: performance, cinema and public discussion

Theatre 121 is the site’s main performance venue. Its programme includes theatre, dance, music, cinema, comedy, work for young audiences, talks and professional encounters. Moroccan and international productions appear alongside touring projects and events organised across the wider French Institute network in Morocco.

The theatre also functions as a platform for cooperation. Moroccan artists and cultural organisations can meet international partners, while Casablanca audiences encounter work circulating across African, Mediterranean, Francophone and global scenes. Film screenings are announced individually with language, subtitles, duration and ticket information; advance booking is advisable for popular events.

Gallery 121 and visual culture

Gallery 121 presents temporary exhibitions, residency projects, guided visits and conversations with artists. Its programme spans contemporary art, photography, design, crafts and emerging practices. Many exhibitions are free, although opening times and access dates depend on each project.

The gallery creates a smaller-scale alternative to Casablanca’s major museums, connecting artists, craftspeople, curators, students and audiences through mediation and Franco-Moroccan cultural projects.

Adult and children’s media libraries

The institute has separate spaces for teenagers and adults and for younger readers. Collections include books, comics, periodicals, audiovisual material, games and digital resources, together with access to Culturethèque, the network’s online library.

Membership is annual and includes borrowing rights and activities reserved for subscribers. Published rules allow members to borrow six printed items and three DVDs for three weeks. Fees, timetables and benefits may change, so visitors should check the official website before registering.

The media libraries are also programming spaces, hosting author talks, writing workshops, philosophy sessions, games, activities for children and teenagers, debates and other forms of cultural mediation.

FabLab, digital museum and technological culture

The Casablanca branch has developed a FabLab for digital making and public engagement. 3D printing, robotics, coding, video games, repair and object design can become tools for workshops aimed at schools, young people and the wider public.

A digital museum and related discovery spaces introduce audiences to artworks, immersive formats and technology-based creative practices. These facilities are generally accessed through workshops, festivals, open days or educational programmes rather than as permanently open attractions.

French courses, certifications and Campus France

The language centre serves very young children, school-age learners, teenagers, adults, students and professionals, from beginner to advanced levels. Courses include general French, oral communication, creative writing, professional and legal French, theatre- and cinema-based learning, and preparation for official qualifications.

The institute offers or prepares candidates for DELF, DALF and TCF examinations. New learners may need to complete a placement test. Teaching also takes place at several partner sites across Casablanca, while the Zerktouni campus remains the main administrative and cultural address.

Campus France has an office at the institute for students planning higher education in France. Campus France procedures, language-course enrolment and cultural ticketing are managed through different schedules and service points.

A contemporary garden connected to the city

The institute’s garden was redesigned by Atelier Bertrand Houin and completed in 2011. Covering approximately 2,500 square metres, the landscape project extends the logic of Casablanca’s historic park system from Arab League Park towards Boulevard Zerktouni. Aleppo pines, drought-conscious shrubs, grasses and reused quartzite paving frame the building while preserving visual openness from the street.

The garden is also a cultural venue, occasionally hosting circus, family programmes, performances, professional meetings and outdoor events. The exterior spaces therefore form an active part of the institute’s identity rather than a decorative backdrop.

Planning a visit

General public reception is currently listed from Tuesday to Saturday, 9 am to 6 pm, and Sunday, 10 am to 2 pm. Media-library services, classes, Campus France, exhibitions and performances follow separate schedules, with seasonal changes during summer, Ramadan and annual closures.

For further cultural exploration, visit the Villa des Arts, the Instituto Cervantes, L’Uzine, browse current events in Casablanca or explore the city’s cultural map.