In the shape of a solar disk, Alexandria's new library was built on the site of its prestigious predecessor and is set to shine once more in the Mediterranean world. Like a phoenix rising out of the ashes, it seems to emerge from the water. The side ..

Some 120 000 pieces recall the history of 5 000 years of successive dynasties in Egypt. Sculptures and funerary furniture are presented in more than 50 rooms: statues of kings and queens ( Hatshepsut , Amenophis IV ), and divinities (Tueris); sarco..

The sumptuous treasure is made up of more than 2 000 pieces, including the throne , the famous gold mask and the beetle pectoral . Tutankhamun's treasure has been the talk of the town since it was discovered by Howard Carter in 1972, especially a..

Take the time to stroll about Egypt's biggest souk, which spreads out at the heart of Islamic Cairo, between Muizz li-Din Allah Street and Sayyidna al-Hussein Mosque. Although some traditionally crafted objects (brass and leather) are on sale, produc..

Inaugurated in 1903, this museum houses one of the world's most exceptional collections of Islamic art. All the wealth and diversity of the artistic output of Arab dynasties dating back to the 7C are shown through over 20 themes. Admire the exception..

Founded by Sultan Hassan in the 14C, this gigantic madrasa (almost 80 000m 2 ) is a gem of Mamluk era architecture. Behind its long, tall façade, which lends it the look of a fortress, lies the central courtyard, bathed in light, and in the centre of..

The oldest mosque in Cairo to have retained its original appearance (9C). Entirely in brick and surrounded by a parapet walk, the edifice has a huge, stunning square courtyard lined with a portico (note the intrados of the arches decorated with del..

Unrivalled architectural masterpiece, technical feat, seventh wonder of the world, oldest pyramid… there is no shortage of superlatives for the Great Pyramid of Cheops. It was also the highest (today 138m) and had the greatest volume (2 521 000m 3 ) ..

The eternal symbol of Egypt, the enigmatic Sphinx of Giza, has made an impression across the ages. This monumental creature (20m high and 57m long), symbol of the Pharaoh's power, with a lion's body and human face, was most probably fashioned by Chep..

A trip to Saqqara necropolis is an essential port of call if you want to understand the history of Ancient Egypt. The vast site is home to monuments covering a period of more than 40 centuries; reaching over 8km from north to south at the heart of a ..

Saqqara and the Djeser complex call to mind two names: Imhotep , head architect who designed the monumental funerary site erected in honour of King Djeser (III Dynasty), and archaeologist Jean-Philippe Lauer , who dedicated his life to studying it...

This royal tomb, which the Pharaoh's soul climbed to reach the afterlife, is testament to the genius of Imhotep. The pyramid is made up of six levels of mastabas piled one on top of the other in a remarkable architectural feat. It is also one of the ..

The sumptuous reliefs on this mastaba offer a highly documented and very graphic overview of life in ancient times: work in the fields, constructing a bark, hippo hunting amid the reeds and papyruses ( main chapel ). Note in the offering chapel the..

A veritable sacred city devoted to the cult of Amun-Re, Karnak is a gigantic sanctuary dedicated to the Theban Triad. In addition to the Temple of Amun , you will also see here the temples of the goddess Mut and the god Khonsu . Karnak is one of ..

Dedicated to the imperial divinity Amun, the Great Temple is surrounded by a wall 1.5km long and 800m wide. The first pylon (the temple has ten) leads to the majestic Great Court . It served as a port of call for the sacred barks, which arrived in..

The Rameses II courtyard, the colonnade and the Amenophis III courtyard alone majestically illustrate the history of this temple dedicated to the god Amun and to the celebrations in honour of Otep. Luxor Temple, linked to Karnak Temple by Sphinx All..

Floating down the Nile is one of the best ways to observe the close relationship between Egypt and its river. Every week almost 300 cruises set off between Luxor and Aswan, via Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo; the large boats are kitted out with entertainment f..

Called Ta set Neferu (Place of Perfection) during Pharaonic times, this deep valley housed more than 60 tombs of queens, princes, princesses and some court dignitaries. Inspired by the Book of the Dead , the relief decor of Nefertari's tomb (n° ..

Less famous than the two neighbouring royal valleys – despite having been better protected from pillaging – these 500 tombs of high-level officials from Thebes have outstanding New Kingdom decors: brightly coloured hunting and fishing scenes and reli..

The site is called the Northern Monastery, after the monastery the Christians set up in Hatshepsut's Temple in the 6C and 7C. The valley used to be called Nefer-Neferu, the Sublime of the Sublimes. The deadly attack on 17 November 1997 for which the ..