Discover the enchanting charm of Qatar

Discover a destination that awakens curiosity and stimulates the imagination. This country offers a striking contrast between dazzling modernity and ancient traditions. With its futuristic skyscrapers proudly standing against the silent desert, every visitor is invited to experience something extraordinary. Stroll through bustling souks where the scents of spices and colorful fabrics intoxicate you, or dive into the luxury of ultra-modern shopping centers. For culture enthusiasts, Islamic art museums and contemporary galleries reveal unexpected treasures. The natural landscapes are equally impressive, with fine sandy beaches bordered by the turquoise waters of the Persian Gulf. For a memorable getaway, explore the desert, where the silence of the dunes invites reflection under a starry sky. This country is also a crossroads of cultures, where international cuisine competes with local flavors for the delight of your taste buds. Whether you're seeking relaxation or adventure, this destination will meet all your expectations and leave you with unforgettable memories.

Of course, it's hot, often too hot. However, the traveler escaping from cold Europe or coming from tropicalized French-speaking lands finds a form of balance in Qatar. It is a clever mix between air-conditioned interiors and the exterior furnace, a thermal journey in itself that one learns to master to turn it into an asset. Thus, for nine months out of twelve (June to August being discouraged), it is pleasant to enjoy the mildness of the climate for a delightful swim without shivers, an evening in a light dress, a water sports session in perfect homeothermy. Then, one can visit a gallery or stroll through some cool boutiques.

A true asset of the destination, this desert is accessible as if one were in the suburbs of the capital. Less than a hundred kilometers from the skyscrapers, here we are in the heart of giant dunes, in a landscape larger than imagination. This emirate knows how to play on several levels, offering a delightful contrast between the city with its frenetic pace and the escapes under the stars. In front of the waters of the "inland sea," the Little Prince that slumbers within each of us awakens and marvels. He trots on the barkhans, contemplates the constellations, and loses himself, just like us, in the vastness.

The second face of Qatar, rarely revealed, is what we have tried to explore here. This young nation is still searching for the best way to tell its story, which explains some hesitations, a few omissions, and areas still unknown. We will start with the ramblas of Souq Waqif, continue to Katara, then to the Museum of Islamic Art. Once this cultural appetite is satisfied, we will dare to explore the "province," with its rare forts, abandoned villages, forgotten petroglyphs, and excavation sites. For forty years, French archaeologists have traveled the country to explore its depths. We wanted to salute their courage by publishing excerpts from their research, also buried in university archives. This land is much more than just a collection of supermarkets and large hotels.

More than elsewhere, and certainly better than elsewhere, the Gulf is a temple of luxury hospitality, an open-air palace with multiple addresses. For advantageous rates, for those who know how to book strategically online, travelers can enjoy a few nights in a palace shining brightly, styled like an oriental palace or with ultra-modern design. The following pages offer you a wide selection of visited and detailed establishments. To each their own tastes, according to their means. But here, nothing shabby or approximate.

Qatar is often presented as a showcase of globalization. This image is partly true, but it sometimes masks the discomfort and bitterness felt by many local residents in response to the massive influx of foreign populations. Indeed, 85% of Qatar's population is of foreign origin, creating a mix of juxtaposed cultures and identities. In Doha, one shifts from one culture to another depending on the place, time, restaurant, or café frequented. One of the challenges for visitors is not to confuse the different variations of spoken Arabic — Egyptian, Lebanese, Jordanian — with the endemic Qatari language, which remains very discreet and secretive.

Security, this universal right so rarely found, has taken residence in Qatar. For the occasional visitor or the permanent resident, it's a simple joy to never feel threatened again, day or night, in a deserted street or a parking lot. Here, surveillance is total, permanent, and radical. Even those who have nothing to blame themselves for feel it. A non-intrusive observation, cold as the electronics of files and barcodes. Point to point, from the geolocation of communications to the listing of entries in bars and clubs, they know what is happening.

Luxury and discoveries in the heart of the desert Chanel, Dior, YSL, Cartier, Vuitton, the most prestigious brands seem to have gathered in Doha, the chosen land of Gold cards! The "malls," covered shopping centers, compete in ingenuity to attract customers. Franchises of great chefs are gaining ground with Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Gordon Ramsay, or Alain Ducasse. Additionally, the major confectionery houses are setting up their boxes, with Dalloyau, Fauchon, Lenôtre and Ladurée.