It might seem strange, but right here in the heart of the desert is the ‘’Valley of Roses’’, its capital being the fortified village of El kelâa M’Gouna, high up overlooking the left bank of the M’Goun wadi in the centre of a typical cold oasis. Situated at a height of 1476 metres, the altitude is too great for palm trees to survive but almonds, apricots and pomegranates can tolerate the colder heights. And here splendid rose bushes flourish everywhere along the valley of the M’Goun that becomes increasingly narrow ending in a tapering gorge. Solidly set in a canyon here is the mighty ksar of Bou Thrarar. Much prettier, though, is the environment around El Kelâa M’Gouna where the roses grow and where in the month of May every year a magnificent celebration is held. In contrast, not far from here the village of Azlag is famous for the crafts manufacture of daggers which involves almost its entire population.