In the near-silence of Ghardaïa’s ancient ksars, there is a sound everyone knows before they even see him. A loud, joyful, theatrical voice that fills the alleys with laughter and life. That voice belongs to Uncle Aissa, 89 years old — a legendary local guide affectionately known as “Le Parisien.”
Seventy Years of Guiding, With the Energy of Day One
Uncle Aissa has been guiding almost every single day for nearly 70 years. While most people slow down with age, he seems to do the opposite. His enthusiasm is intact, his steps confident, his stories endless. Walking with him feels like walking with someone guiding for the very first time — curious, playful, and deeply in love with his ksar.
For Uncle Aissa, guiding has never been a job.
It is simply his way of living.
Why “Le Parisien”?
Ask him why he calls himself Le Parisien and you’ll rarely get a straight answer. Instead, you’ll receive a joke, a wink, a dramatic pause — and laughter. The nickname has followed him for decades, becoming part of his legend and part of the charm that makes every visit unforgettable.
A Joyful Noise in a Quiet World
The ksar is known for its calm, almost meditative atmosphere. And then Uncle Aissa arrives.
He shouts greetings, cracks jokes, tells stories at full volume, creating a wonderful noise that echoes through the narrow alleys. Strangely, it never feels disruptive. On the contrary, it feels necessary — as if the ksar itself is awake only when his voice is there.
Locals smile when they hear him coming.
Children listen.
Visitors stop and laugh.
Part of the Ksar Itself
Over decades, Uncle Aissa has become part of the ksar’s identity. The residents say it openly: they cannot imagine the ksar without his voice. His presence, his humor, and his daily walks are woven into the life of the place.
He doesn’t just know the ksar —
he belongs to it.
History Told With Heart and Humor
A walk with Uncle Aissa is never a quiet lecture. It is storytelling, performance, and human connection all at once. He explains history through anecdotes, architecture through gestures, and culture through jokes. Guests often say they didn’t just learn about the ksar — they felt it.
Despite his age, he laughs loudly, walks proudly, and radiates a joy that is contagious.
A Meeting You Never Forget
Meeting Uncle Aissa is one of those rare travel moments that cannot be planned or repeated. He represents memory, continuity, and the living soul of Ghardaïa’s ksars.
At Oryx Voyage, we treasure encounters like this — real people, real voices, real life.
To walk through the ksar with Uncle Aissa “Le Parisien” is not simply a guided tour.
It is a celebration of life, laughter, and belonging — echoing through stone alleys that would feel strangely silent without him.
