Taza-Bas (the Ville Nouvelle, or "Lower Town") spreads below the medina promontory and was developed principally during the French Protectorate period from the early 20th century. It functions as the commercial and administrative centre of modern Taza: the train station, the main market, the bus terminal, and most of the hotels and restaurants are here. The streets are wider and less atmospheric than the medina above but give a better sense of everyday Moroccan life away from the tourist circuit.
The Place de l'Indépendance is the main square of the Ville Nouvelle and the logical orientation point for arriving visitors. The central market streets — Avenue Mohammed V and Rue Allal Ben Abdullah — have everything from pharmacies and hardware shops to fruit stalls and clothing vendors. It is a functional, working town centre, not a showpiece, and that is part of the reason Taza feels more authentic than larger Moroccan cities.
The walk from Taza-Bas up to the medina takes about 20 minutes on the main road, or you can take a petit taxi for a small fare.
address: Taza-Bas