Domonique Choupin | Owner, Riad Baoussala

We often search for places ‘off the beaten’ that haven’t been overrun with people who are more interested in telling others that they’ve been there, then actually enjoy being there. It took one email for me to be lucky enough to find a place that has existed for over a decade and maintains a clientele that rather enjoy then pretend. Riad Baoussala is a sanctuary just outside of Essaouira on the east coast of Morocco for people who love authentic experiences and a fucking cool owner.

The Pixel Trade was to photograph all of Riad Baoussala and the surrounding area. This meant that every night I got to stay in different rooms until the whole place just felt like a big family property full of relatives I hadn’t met and food that was screaming to be eaten. Dominique has created a true kingdom and anyone who wants to disappear in Morocco... come here.

                  Interview with Dominique

Describe your most memorable adventure as a child.

I did not get really any memorable adventure, I loved climb in the trees but did not want to get down...I loved going in a private garden and steel apples, what an adventure...!!!! By the way....what means adventure? An exceptionnal fact...or throw yourself in the unknown...  or a special feeling that you never forgot...?

What was the process of creating Riad Baoussala? 

First change my life, create a place , simply , with my feelings, never sure about what i was doing, so that it was Adventure!" Shake up" was the idea! Live in a country that I choose.

When people come to Baoussala, what do you hope that get from the place? 

Pleasure, good memories with the feel to come back very soon, get the feeling that they were privileged, spoiled , and also that they forgot their troubles  and time...

What inspired you to live in Morocco and live this lifestyle? 

Change my values, live in a sunny country, live by the ocean, live with the feeling of more freedom and less rules, live in a simple way in a simple  but beautiful place, and get the right balance between my private life and my job, in a way it's mixed and I don’t really make so much difference, I always enjoy the people I met, I met many lovely people and that's enriching for mind and heart;

Where did you ‘work’ before living in Morocco? 

For the pharmaceutical industry, international group, Sanofi, I enjoyed for many years, but finally got bored with the job and the system (high competition).

What is something you haven’t told someone in a long time?

Not really...maybe : I am bored

What do you do when you’re stressed? 

Stay in my hammoc under the eucalyptus, or go to the SidiKaouki beach, Abdou's place...looking at the ocean so powerful and alive

If you could teach the world one thing, what would it be?

Nature is fabulous  & Give love

Describe your most memorable adventure as an adult.  

Learn to live in Africa, in a eucalyptus forest in the middle of nowhere and build Baoussala alone , with the workers who used to make the bread and the meals everyday for  all of  for us, and music and so many little nice things .....Otherwise, many other experiences traveling over the world...

If you had to recommend a favourite music album, what would it be? 

Many musicians in many differents styles, in one second, Sting! I love music, all "good music" !!