Françoise Chanteloup, entre Marrakech et Orléans : News on People and Celebrities of marrakechmarrakech marrakech Travel Marrakech

-Presentation?

Françoise, 20 years travel agent!

-Tell us your story with the Morocco

I discovered the Morocco 30 years ago, when I accompanied my husband for the rally of the Atlas. We had a large blow of heart for this city.

Then, a little more than 20 years ago, I created the Agency Getaways in Orleans, where I started to sell trips to the Morocco. Then 5 years later, we have created the Agency MC travel to Marrakech to better respond to the requests of our customers. We organize trips to the map on the Morocco, and work on many sporting events. We provide logistics on several African rallies, such as the Paris-Dakar, who left us to Latin America for 2 years but should come back very soon!

-What is your role in the Organization of the Marathon?

With the Agency getaways, we organize trips to themes of passionate runners marathon; to the marathon in New york, Berlin, Paris...And then a decade ago, I was asked by a local company in the Organization of the Marrakesh Marathon in close collaboration with the Grand Atlas (after 3 years of judgment).

The great Atlas, takes care of all the administrative part (permissions, security, relations with the Athletics Federation, national media relations) and the logistics on the race (the race Commissioners, controllers, supplies, épongements...) This is great deal of work and a great responsibility. For what is our role, we deliver any communication in France and in Europe, by know, giving the best possible image marathons with our partners at the level of other races and other. It handles all the specialized and international press relations. And we organise trips to the card for those who like to combine sport and tourism!

Give us the figures; the participants, the nationalities, the evolution?

Initially, there were about 2,500 people on the two races (marathon and half marathon), today we are 6 000 participants.

In the beginning, it is more particularly countries are represented: Ethiopia, Kenya, Latin America, USA, Canada, New Caledonia, Spain, Italy... For 3 or 4 years, we feel a greater recognition of the event on Marrakech and it is very gratifying!

-What do you think of the circuit of Marrakech?

On the legal and sports plan, this is a true route with an exact distance of 42.195 km. For the rest, it is an extraordinary journey, it is flat and fast allowing professional athletes to make records.

It is a framework and an exceptional climate...It starts the Ménara Avenue, in the axis of the Koutoubia mosque, bypasses the city walls, crosses the Palm Grove circuit, then passes through the city centre. One can feel a real atmosphere, with folk troops along the route and the very warm public.

-What kind of event do you think organizing in Marrakech soon?

We really want to revive the roller marathon we already tested on 2 occasions. We had most of the infrastructure of the marathon to organize this race which was very well received by the public...The enrolment had doubled from the Second Edition! But it is difficult to take advantage of the infrastructure of the marathon without that it doesn't interfere with the marathon itself. Therefore, I hope that we can implement all the logistics necessary quickly to meet the demand of the young marrakchis, which appear to be interested in the project!

-What you like to do in Marrakech? What do you think its evolution?

Since I'm really working on Marrakech, i.e. 15 years, the city has changed considerably and evolved...For the "old" Marrakech, there is more the same things...However, I think that Marrakech, is part of these cities which even growing retain their charm. Its walls, its colours, its odour, its sunsets, snowy mountains, blue sky and the Palm Grove, I do me in lasse not!

I like put me on a café terrace close to the Jemaa el Fna place and simply look at the life, the people in the street, drought place that installs the lights that light up, smoke rising, people arriving...These are magical moments that have not changed despite the work on the place and the evolution of the city... It is also very nice to go to the Majorelle gardens, enjoy a beautiful day with a bench and read a good book or just listen to the birds. Otherwise, it is very resourceful to go to the mountain, at the Oukaimeden!

-What is which has disappeared from Marrakech, compared to your stays 30 years?

There must be recognition found more places of parking, (laughs!) There is an incredible increase in French bakeries and restaurants, I me plains not, but it's different...Before there were dealers, the Renaissance and its unfortunate panoramic terrace...All these mythical places have disappeared, and this is unfortunately inevitable and Marrakech is a victim of its success!

-What do you like least in Marrakech?

I regret that Marrakech resembles more and more cities. It is the reverse of the Medal, but as long as international signs will coexist with carriages, small Mule and many mopeds, Marrakech will always keep a share of its authenticity! (laughs)

-Do you have a story to tell?

The first that comes to mind, it was 4 or 5 years ago, on the eve of the marathon, I got a call from Grand Atlas, which announced me that we had to change the departure and arrival, as the Spanish King arrived on the same day...

It was very sporting to regain overnight 42.195 km to the nearest centimetre exactly route all tag and everything put in place for the next day for the first time... It was very demanding, but today we laugh all!