Help for a few days in Morocco

Do you have 3 full days on the ground in Morocco, not including the travel to/from Paris? Or is your "trip" from Paris to Morocco and back 3 days (in which case, you really have just one day in Morocco)?

In any case, look at cheap flights from Paris Orly, not just CDG (I think you will find more cheap flights from Orly). Also be sure to look across multiple days of the week, since many low-cost flights to/from Morocco do not go every day (check schedules carefully to ensure flights both ways will work for you). Note that you should find flights to both Marrakesh and also Fes (as well as other, smaller cities) - either would be a good choice. But even if you have 3 full days, you don't have time for both cities.

If you choose Fes, nearby Volublis (Roman ruins) and Meknes (another old, smaller city) is a good daytrip. Fes is amazing. OTOH, Marrakech has the Jemaa el-Fnaa, which is probably unlike anything you may have already experienced.

Hi David, 3-4 full days. Sorry that wasn't clear. Thanks!

I've just returned from Morroco, absolutely incredible in every way. (I saw your post about Belgium, too, so not sure if you will go to both or are trying to decide between them.)
From the US, granted West Coast, finding flights home to the US from Marrakech (smaller airport than Casablanca) was a challenge. Air France, as suggested, is a likely choice. There were so many negative reviews about Air Morroc that I avoided it, but maybe?
Anyway, it's a 3-4 hour flight.
The mid- January weather was beautiful, high 60s in the afternoon and chilly low 50s in the evenings. If you can find a riad inside the medina I think it would really enhance your experience, especially if there's a rooftop area. The area surrounding the medina was clogged with traffic, etc.

I too was in Morocco about a month ago and flew Air Maroc to and from Tunis and had no issues with them. Would fly them again - they served a full meal on the 3 hour flight including alcoholic drinks. Wanted to add that I believe United has daily flights from Marrakech to Newark if you were thinking of returning home from Morocco rather than return to Paris.

With 3 days I would recommend Fes since as mentioned, Meknes, Volubilis and Moulay Idris can probably all be covered in 1 day as a day trip (these all seem to be within an hour to 1.5 hours of Fes). I'm not sure if there are any easy day trips from Marrakech. You may be able to get a tour doing a day trip to Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazte but I would assume this would be a long day. Or you may be able to do a day trip to Essouria (another World Heritage site).

First, I'm grateful to those of you who took the time to respond and give some great tips/suggestions.
Yes, this is the same trip and I'm addition to Belgium...thanks for asking. It's all very last minute and I've ready as much as I could.

We will be happy to fly Royal Air Maroc as they are part of our One world. I did check flights out of ORY as well. Times are tougher plus we get free luggage due to our statuses (AA back home) on RAM. Also, it takes time and there is of course additional transportation cost to get to ORY.

We don't have the option of changing our return from CDG to the US.
well, technically the option exists but for a number of reasons we won't do it. It will cost us in some additional travel but we accept the cost in exchange for upgrades for the ride home to Florida.

Thank you!!

If you do fly Air Maroc, make sure to put in your AA or other OW status #. Doing so, AT let me choose a seat for free and even let me choose the exit row that reclines.

It wouldn't allow me to pick my wifes seat for free but she ended up being assigned in the exit row next to me so worked out well.

Thanks Arnold. Very familiar with flying One world partners ... Both wife and I are Executive Platinum so we have flown a time or two (ours aren't credit card earned like many in the new world).

Really appreciate your input!

Another vote for Fes. Fes is more authentic and atmospheric than Marrakesh. We loved it! In comparison, Marrakesh definitely feels touristy. Also, we felt safer in Fes as we were accosted by a group of young men in Marrakesh which was unnerving.

Give some thought to flying to Tangier instead. There is a lot of history there. if you go there definitely go to the US Legation Office which is now a museum. Tangier was an international city until it was annexed by the Morocco in 1956. A lot of history. FYI we were in Morocco in September and October, 2023 for about a month. Definitely a lot to see.

I liked Marrakech better; my wife liked Fes better. Either is amazing and since you only have 3 days, don't sweat the location and just make the most of wherever you can get to most efficiently.

Most people in Marrakech think of the Medina, and it is an amazing experience. But don't sleep on the Nouvelle Ville (New Town), including the Jardin Majorelle (gardens).

Since your wife is a foodie, treat yourself to lunch or dinner at the Royal Mansour Hotel (https://www.royalmansour.com/en/marrakech/dining/). This place is WAY too expensive for us to consider staying at, but we went there for lunch and were treated like kings.