The core of central Béchar was laid out by the French Foreign Legion in the early 20th century, when the town was a garrison and railhead at the edge of the Sahara. The grid of arcaded streets, shuttered villas, and a couple of formal squares around the Place du 1er Novembre survives in patches between the later concrete sprawl, and is the most photogenic part of the city.
The arcades provide rare shade in the heat of the day and shelter for the cafes and small shops that have inherited them. Look for the old railway station, the post office, and the church (now repurposed) — the most complete set of legion-era buildings outside Sidi-Bel-Abbès.