In the Footsteps of Albert Camus, Son of Algeria


holiday and tour in Algeria with Expert Algeria travel agency We have recently put the finishing touches to our new Albert Camus tour, designed to celebrate the  life and times of the great philosopher. Expert Algeria’s circuit includes visits to many of the places associated with Camus’ life and work, visiting scenes from, inter alia, l’Etranger, The Plague and The First Man.

The British journalist Ed Vallance has just visited Algeria with Expert Algeria to trace the footsteps of Camus – and you can read his article in the Independent newspaper here.

Day 1
Afternoon arrival in Algiers. Transfer to hotel in central Algiers for four nights followed by walking tour including esplanade (panoramic views of port, art deco Hotel Safir, National Assembly, neo-Moorish Prefecture), Place des Martyrs (situated at the foot of the casbah and housing 17th century El Djedid Mosque) followed by Place Emir Abd-el-Kader (with famous statue in honor of the founder of Algerian nation) and Grande Poste (Algiers’ quintessential neo-Moorish building).
Day 2
Algiers’ UNESCO-designated casbah, including lunch in private home and visits to mosque and Museum of Arts and Crafts followed by Bab El Oued including Algiers lyc�e (frequented by Camus) as well as Marengo Gardens, Padovani beach and Notre Dame d’Afrique cathedral with optional visit to Bastion 23 (Ottoman Palais des Rais converted into art and architecture museum).
Day 3
In the Footsteps of Camus in Algeria in Algiers: Belcourt (Camus’ childhood quartier), rue Mohamed Belouizdad (ex rue de Lyon) followed by Bardo Museum (prehistory and ethnography). Afternoon excursion to Camus? Tipasa: UNESCO World Heritage site bordering the Mediterranean adorned with a Roman amphitheatre, 4th century basilica, forum, old port and delightful museum (including stele erected in homage to Camus).
Day 4
Transfer on internal flight to Oran (scene of La Peste) followed by tour In the Footsteps of Camus in Algeria with visits to his apartment in rue Larbi (ex Rue d’Arzew), bookshop, Place des Armes, sea-front and caf�s, town hall, Michelet market. Transfer to hotel in Oran for two nights.
Day 5
Continuation of visits in Mediterranean city of Oran including Massif du Murdjadjo, Church of Santa Cruz, port, archaeology museum, palais du Bey, Mers El Kebir.
Day 6
Transfer on internal flight to Annaba for two nights including visits in central Annaba (mosque and casbah) and Cap du Garde.
Day 7
Excursion to Drean (ex Mondovi, Camus’ birthplace) with visit to family home, Chapeau du Gendarme (where Lucien Camus worked), visits to the “modern” Basilica of St Augustine followed by ancient Roman settlement of Hippo Regius (excellent museum and site where St Augustine was bishop) followed by Seraidi (mountain village). Transfer on internal flight to Algiers for overnight.
Day 8
Time at leisure in Algiers (bookshops, shopping) followed by transfer to airport and return journey.