Dive into the enchanting story of Tunis Village, where rural charm, artistry, and cultural richness converge to create a unique and vibrant destination in the heart of Fayoum.
The quaint village of Tunis, nestled in the scenic oasis of Fayoum, is a hidden gem on the road to Wadi Rayan. Perched on a hill overlooking a vast saltwater lake, Tunis Village boasts a stunning view of the desert's edge, making it one of the most beautiful places in Egypt.
Until recently, Tunis was a humble farming and fishing community on Lake Qaroun's southern shore. The village, seemingly like many others, had its own unique charm, being small, exceptionally beautiful, and surprisingly peaceful. Everything changed in the 1980s when Swiss potter Evelyn Porret visited Fayoum with Egyptian friends. Enchanted by Tunis, she decided to build her country house and pottery workshop, drawing inspiration from the designs of renowned architect Hassan Fathi.
Evelyn's domed-ceiling eco-friendly house became a masterpiece of eco-architecture, inspiring others to follow suit. She established a pottery school, nurturing the talents of village children and transforming Tunis into a modern pottery center. Today, her students represent a new generation of independent potters, showcasing their works globally.
Tunis Village has evolved into a center of modern pottery and an open-air museum of eco and traditional rural buildings. Entrepreneurs invested in eco-lodges, a horse-riding center, and a guesthouse. The Fayoum Art Center, founded by Egyptian artist Mohamed Abla, features a caricature museum, the first of its kind in the Middle East, showcasing works by artists like Saroukhan, George El Bahgoury, and Ahmed Toughan.
Each autumn, the Tunis Pottery Festival attracts artists, traditional artisans, and creative potters from Tunisia, Cairo, and beyond. The festival is a celebration of pottery, offering unique experiences, cross-cultural interactions, and discussions on challenges and opportunities in Egyptian pottery.
Tunis Village offers diverse activities, from bird watching to horse riding. Les Chevaux Du Lac provides a fantastic horseback riding experience, and Ahmed Mansour, a local bird watching guide, has been organizing bird watching trips since 2008. The Ibis Cooking School & Restaurant, situated at Mahmoud Youssef Pottery Atelier, blends the art of cooking with pottery.
Explore Tunis Village and its surroundings on a bicycle. Tunis Bike offers a variety of bikes, from mountain bikes to speed bikes, with delivery services available to hotels and villas in and around Tunis Village.
Explore Fayoum with Fayoumer!
Fayoumer, in his black sweatshirt, leads captivating tours in the northern desert of Lake Qaroun, showcasing the region's beauty, including the majestic Qasr Sagha temple.
