The Grande Poste of Algiers at a glance
A neo-Moorish building inaugurated in 1913, the Grande Poste is the work of architects Jules Voinot and Marius Toudoire. Its 2,800 m² of floor space, its immaculate facade and its horseshoe arches make it the most photographed monument in Algiers city centre.
- Architects: Jules Voinot (1855–1913) and Marius Toudoire (1852–1922)
- Floor area: 2,800 m²
- Address: Boulevard Mohamed-Khemisti, Algiers City Centre 16000
- Metro access: line 1, station « Tafourah - Grande Poste »
- Current status: closed to the public since May 2019 — rehabilitation in 4 phases since March 2025
- To see without entering: exterior facade, lively square, surrounding historic neighbourhood
Exploring Algiers city centre by car: our advice
The Grande Poste is the ideal starting point. But Algiers city centre is more than just a square. To link all the sites in one day, a car is your best ally. Public transport works, but the distances between sites and the timetables can complicate the day. With your own vehicle, you set your own pace.
Here are the distances from the Grande Poste:
- Grande Poste → Memorial of the Martyr: 2 km (10 min by car)
- Grande Poste → Hamma Botanical Garden: 4 km (15 min by car)
- Grande Poste → Casbah of Algiers: 1.5 km (8 min by car)
With Safar El Amir, car rental in Algiers starts from 2,000 DA/day. You arrive at the airport, pick up your vehicle on site thanks to our car rental service at Algiers airport, and drive freely from the moment you leave the terminal.
No parking stress, no taxi to negotiate between each site. Just the road and the monuments.
The Grande Poste of Algiers: an architectural symbol
It is the monument seen on every postcard of Algiers. Impossible to miss.
The Grande Poste has dominated the heart of Algiers city centre for over a century. Located on Boulevard Mohamed-Khemisti, it stands opposite the commercial port, below the Governor's Palace. Its geographical position is no coincidence: it is the nerve centre of the old European city, still today the number one landmark for Algerians and visitors alike.
2,800 m² of floor space, an immaculate white facade, horseshoe arches visible from afar. Even closed, it draws the eye. Even from the outside, it is worth the detour.
For tourists discovering Algiers for the first time, this is where everything begins. A stone's throw from the Casbah, the Bardo Museum, the Place des Martyrs — the Grande Poste is your compass in the capital.
History: from colonial post office to museum
The story begins in 1903. Governor-General Charles Célestin Jonnart takes office and wants to leave his architectural mark on Algeria. He imposes a new style for all public buildings: neo-Moorish — a blend of Arab architecture and European construction techniques.
The site was occupied by a small Anglican church (built around 1870) before being razed to make way for the construction. Work begins in 1910 under the direction of Jules Voinot, assisted by Marius Toudoire. The workforce is local: Algerian and Moroccan cabinet-makers and ceramicists craft the majority of the interior ornaments.
Inauguration in 1913. The building immediately becomes the central hub of the city.
Throughout the 20th century, the Grande Poste lived through Algeria's history first-hand:
- January 1960 — Week of the Barricades: the neighbourhood becomes the scene of clashes between supporters of French Algeria and security forces.
- 26 March 1962 — Rue d'Isly massacre: a few metres from the Grande Poste, 46 people are killed and more than 150 wounded during a demonstration.
- 2019 — Hirak: the Grande Poste square becomes the symbol of the popular movement. Protesters gather there every Friday and Tuesday.
On the rehabilitation side: the building was closed in September 2015 to be converted into a museum of postal and telecommunications history. Project cost: 80 million dinars, funded by Algérie Poste and Algérie Télécom. It reopens in May 2018 — but for less than a year.
May 2019: definitive closure. Since March 2025, a major restoration project in 4 phases has been underway, led by a firm of architects specialising in listed monuments.
Architecture: the neo-Moorish masterpiece
Jules Voinot (1855–1913) and Marius Toudoire (1852–1922) designed a building that fuses two worlds: the functional rigour of European post offices and the decorative richness of Arabo-Andalusian architecture.
The details that strike you:
- Facade with three horseshoe arches, adorned with vaults embroidered with arabesques and epigraphs
- Upper arcade gallery running the full width of the building
- Amber marble staircase leading to three large doors in precious wood
- Columns with capitals of stalactites chiselled in marble
- Interior ceiling: dome, friezes and the 12 signs of the zodiac
- Quranic inscriptions and Hispano-Moorish motifs inspired by the Alhambra in Granada
| Building | Year | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| Sidi-Abderrahmane Quranic School | 1904 | First building in the style in Algiers |
| Dépêche Algérienne Headquarters | 1906 | Now the seat of the Algiers wilaya |
| Galeries de France | 1909 | Transformed into MAMA in 2007 |
| Grande Poste | 1913 | Undergoing rehabilitation |
The Grande Poste is part of a series of neo-Moorish buildings commissioned by Jonnart in Algiers:
Visiting the Grande Poste today: what you need to know
The interior has been closed since May 2019. But the Grande Poste can also be visited from the outside — and it is well worth the trip.
What you can see without going inside
- The complete facade, with its three arches, arcades and stucco ornaments
- The Grande Poste square, lively at all hours — street vendors, passers-by, photographers
- The surrounding neighbourhood: Rue Larbi Ben-M'hidi, Boulevard Mohamed-Khemisti, historic cafés
Best time for photos
- Morning (8am–10am): the facade faces east, the light is soft and direct
- Golden hour (6pm–7:30pm): the white stone takes on a magnificent golden hue
- Avoid peak hours (12pm–2pm): the square is very busy and the light is harsh
Getting there
- Metro: line 1, station « Tafourah - Grande Poste » — direct exit onto the square
- By car: Boulevard Mohamed-Khemisti, or underground car park at Place des Martyrs (700 m walk)
- Address: Boulevard Mohamed-Khemisti, Algiers City Centre 16000
What to do around the Grande Poste in Algiers
The Grande Poste combines perfectly with other sites in the historic centre:
| Site | Walking distance | Interest |
|---|---|---|
| Place des Martyrs | 700 m | Historic esplanade, Grand Mosque |
| Casbah of Algiers | 1.2 km | UNESCO Heritage |
| National Bardo Museum | 1.5 km | Prehistory and ethnography |
| Rue Larbi Ben-M'hidi | 200 m | Shopping, cafés, MAMA |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Grande Poste of Algiers open to the public?
No. The Grande Poste has been closed to the public since 21 May 2019. A major rehabilitation project in 4 phases has been underway since March 2025. The exterior facade and the square remain freely accessible at all hours.
Who built the Grande Poste of Algiers?
The Grande Poste was built by architects Jules Voinot (1855–1913) and Marius Toudoire (1852–1922), from 1910. The project was commissioned by Governor-General Charles Célestin Jonnart as part of his policy of neo-Moorish architecture for public buildings in Algiers.
What is the architectural style of the Grande Poste of Algiers?
The neo-Moorish style. It is a hybrid movement that blends elements of Arabo-Andalusian architecture (horseshoe arches, domes, chiselled stucco, mosaics, Quranic inscriptions) with European construction techniques.
How do you get to the Grande Poste of Algiers?
By metro: line 1, station « Tafourah - Grande Poste » — direct exit onto the square. By car: Boulevard Mohamed-Khemisti, parking possible in the street or in the underground car park at Place des Martyrs (700 m). Address: Boulevard Mohamed-Khemisti, Algiers City Centre 16000.
What is there to see around the Grande Poste of Algiers?
Within 15 minutes on foot: Place des Martyrs, the Casbah of Algiers (UNESCO listed), the National Bardo Museum, Rue Larbi Ben-M'hidi and MAMA. Further afield: the Hamma Botanical Garden (4 km) and the Memorial of the Martyr (2 km) are easily accessible by car.
