"Tataouine : to the end of the world ??????" Gouvernorat de Tataouine by mariev

Gouvernorat de Tataouine Travel Guide: 118 reviews and 221 photos

The old road sign, spelling has been fixed since

The legend

Some years ago, when the first Star War films came out, the name of the desolate planet of Tattoine sounded strangely familiar to some spectators.
Dozens years before, a french expression ‘Aller à Tataouine’ was synonym to go to the end of the world (and even beyond).

Coincidence ? No : in 1976 George Lucas filmed SW4 in the tunisian Governorat (Wilaya) of Tataouine (and reused the name).

But does really “Tataouine” deserve to be a synonym of hell ?

The reality

Situation

Situated at the extreme South-West of Tunisia, bordered by Algeria, Lybia and by the wylayas of Medenine and Kebili, the Wilaya (governorat) of Tataouine comprises the extreme southern fifth of the country.

Tataouine is the most south-eastern of the 23 existing Wilayas, and is really the door leading to the desert that covers about 1/3 of Tunisia.

With 30 000 inhabitants (of Berber origin for a large part), possessing petrol ressources in El Borma, offering an intersting historical past and a not too bad agricultural context, the area tries now to seduct tourists (and investors).

As mentionned above, the area has some interseting places to visit :

If the former convicts prison that originated Tataouine's reputation is not accessible to the public (it's now an army base), there is still a decent number of attraction like :

- The town of Tataouine itself with its market and its berber festival of arts; the town is also where you can find the last gas station before entering the desert and even a cyber-cafe (or should we call it a cyber mint tea ?)

- Ksar Hadada with its well preserved ghorfas

- The troglodytic village of Chenini-Tataouine

Pros and Cons

Pros:Authentic
Cons:Hot, Burning
In a nutshell:Aller à Tataouine et en revenir

Last visit to Gouvernorat de Tataouine: Dec 1999
Intro Updated Jun 18, 2006
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Reviews (6)

Chorbat frick - Gouvernorat de Tataouine

South Tunisian cooking : Chorbat Frick Local Customs (3)

The (S)chorbat frick (also called shorbat chiir) is a soup made with green corn. In Tunisia, it is often served during... more travel advice

Men playing dominos - Gouvernorat de Tataouine

Wilaya de Tataouine : a Berber fief in... Local Customs (3)

The Wilaya of Tataouine, which comprises the extreme southern fifth of Tunisia presents the specificity, along with the... more travel advice

Ksar Hadada's mosque - Gouvernorat de Tataouine

Ksar-Hadada - The Mosque Off The Beaten Path (1)

The main attraction in Ksar-Hadada is the ghorfa, but it's not the only thing worth the visit. On the other side of the... more travel advice

Well preserved ksour - Gouvernorat de Tataouine

Ksar Hadada - The Ghorfas Things to Do (1)

The main attraction in Ksar-Hadada is the ghorfa , a typical Tunisian architectural structure. A ghorfa is a fortress... more travel advice

What to Pack (1)
Be prepared : it's hot AND cold

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Travelogues (1)

Written Feb 5, 2005

3 photos

Ksar Hadada - some more pics

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Comments (10)

Nemorino Jul 10, 2007 at 10:46 AM Report Abuse

Interesting to read about the ghorfas, which I had never heard of before.
Anchovy56 Sep 8, 2006 at 7:01 AM Report Abuse

That sounds alot like the homemade vegetable soup found in the USA deep south. Thanks
cuppadamoksha Jun 18, 2006 at 10:37 AM Report Abuse

Hi , Hope all is well at your end :)
Rabbityama Mar 25, 2006 at 11:22 AM Report Abuse

Great Tunisia pictures! I hope to see more from your African travels!
JLBG May 10, 2005 at 11:24 PM Report Abuse

Excellent ! I hope you will put more. Merci pour le nouveau "tip" !
beret Mar 16, 2005 at 4:04 AM Report Abuse

A very interesting preamble about SW. Kind of cool. But in the real world, the place looks...wow!
JetlagCity Jan 26, 2005 at 10:04 AM Report Abuse

Whoever thought you could trace Star Wars to Tunisia?! Great write-up and interesting tips!
Buckz Jan 11, 2005 at 10:19 AM Report Abuse

This puts Star Wars in a totally different light- if there was no tattoine, was the whole thing made up? Was there no Empire? No Luke? No Darth Vader?
aussiedoug Nov 30, 2004 at 2:07 AM Report Abuse

Your intro here is well written & interesting to read & your general tip is tres interessant to say the least. Please keep writing mon ami as I enjoy reading your words so much.
Maillekeul Nov 1, 2004 at 6:22 AM Report Abuse

Putain, ça existe, Tataouine... J'ai toujours cru que c'était un gag ou une expression populaire du style Triffoullis les oies !!! Merci pour l'info !!