BEY PALAIS

Emerging from the Rozalcazar fortification, this is the former residence of the bey of Oran - there were six of them - protected by high walls measuring 500 m by 200 m, punctuated by curtain walls and bastions, overlooking the port. The palace is really decrepit and should be restored by 2024, thanks in particular to Turkish funding. However, it's still worth a detour, as it's one of the few Ottoman-era monuments in Oran. It comprises a diwan, a residence, stables and a small pavilion known as the "favorite's", where the harem's favorite lived. The interior rooms have retained their Hispano-Moorish style, with beautiful painted ceilings. The various buildings are separated by gardens.

After the French took Oran, the palace became the seat of the military governor until 1962. Near the palace, you'll see a huge 18-storey tower of unfinished construction; this was a project for an 18-storey hotel that was halted because the developer actually had no right to build near the historic site of the Palais du Bey... The building, which now belongs to the Oran municipality, is due to undergo major renovations to become the headquarters of the Oran wilaya in a few years' time (to be continued).

Nearby are the former prefecture and the Porte de Canastel, which is difficult to find because it's wedged between houses. The Porte de Canastel was the main entrance to old Oran, opening onto the road leading to the village of the same name.