Sidi Bou Saïd, the blue and white pearl of Tunisia

Perched on a cliff 130 metres above sea level overlooking Carthage and the Gulf of Tunis, Sidi Bou Saïd bears the name of a saint: Sidi Bou Saïd. The Punic Carthaginians and then the Romans were already present in this area, which was nicknamed Cap Carthagena (promontory of Carthage) in ancient times. After the Arab conquest in the 7th century and the fall of Carthage, the promontory retained its strategic position, with the construction of watchtowers and a lighthouse to defend the north-eastern coast of Tunisia. This explains the name of the hill on which Sidi Bou Saïd nestles: Djebel El Manar ("Lighthouse Mountain"). As for the name of the village, it's simply Sidi Bou Saïd (1156-1231), who at the end of his life retired to the top of Djebel El Manar, the hill overlooking Cap Carthage, to stand guard and teach Sufism.

From the 17th century onwards, the charm of this village attracted the Tunisian bourgeoisie and the bey's family, who built luxurious Arab-Muslim mansions here.

On 28 August 1915, a decree imposed a blue and white ban on all uncontrolled construction on the promontory, making Sidi Bou Saïd the first listed site in the world.

Until 1825, Sidi Bou Saïd was off-limits to non-Muslims. From then on, the blue and white village attracted many artists, musicians and writers, including Chateaubriand, Gustave Flaubert, Paul Klee, August Macke, Alphonse de Lamartine, Georges Duhamel, André Gide, Colette and Simone de Beauvoir. Michel Foucault wrote L'Archéologie du savoir.

Of course, a stop at the famous Café des Nattes is not to be missed. This charming café at the top of the village's main street has seen many writers and artists (André Gide, Simone de Beauvoir, Montherlant, Klee) pay tribute to it in their works. Another café with a bird's-eye view of the Mediterranean is Le Chebaane, immortalised in Patrick Bruel's song Le Café des Délices, which has pleasant terraces on several levels. Ideal for sipping mint tea accompanied by delicious Tunisian pastries as the sun sets!

A magnificent Andalusian residence listed as a historic monument, the palace of Baron Rodolphe d'Erlanger, the Franco-British painter and musician, has been open to visitors since 1992. The Baron himself designed the refined interior. He also designed the lush garden inspired by Islamic art, and introduced blue and white to Sidi Bou Saïd. In short, he is a central figure in the history of this village!

Also known as the Ennejma Ezzahra Palace (the Star of Venus), the site is home to the Centre for Arab and Mediterranean Music, which offers concerts, symposia, violin-making workshops and more.) There is a superb panoramic view over the Gulf of Tunis to Cap Bon. Programme and tickets on the official Baron's Palace website.

After the death of the saint Sidi Bou Saïd in the 13th century, a mausoleum was built in his honour on Mount El Manar, in the heart of the village that took his name. The tomb adjoins the mosque. Unfortunately, the mausoleum was completely destroyed in an arson attack on 12 January 2013, set by Salafists. The villagers have since rebuilt it.