Tangier airport bears the name of one of history's greatest travellers: Ibn Battûta. Between 1325 and 1349, this intrepid explorer travelled almost 120,000 kilometres around the world, defying the distances and frontiers of his time.

Some friends and I wanted to pay tribute to this legendary figure by visiting his shrine, nestling in the heart of Tangier's old town. Fortunately, Fatima, who speaks Arabic, accompanied us – without her, the adventure would have been much more complicated!

The search for the tomb is almost an obstacle course: we have to wend our way through a maze of narrow streets and ask the way several times. Finally, we arrived at a small, unassuming building wedged between two narrow streets. What a surprise to discover that a man who crossed continents is buried in such a modest place!

The door was closed, but a telephone number was displayed. Fatima called, and the caretaker, after a brief exchange, announced: "I'll take a taxi and be right there." We waited in the scorching sun, observing life in the neighbourhood. A boy, Ali, is playing in the street and greets us with a radiant smile. A young couple, Élise and Joseph, pass by and an impromptu conversation begins.

When Si Mokhtar, the caretaker, finally arrives, he explains that the shrine usually only opens between the Maghreb and Isha prayers, at sunset. But Moroccan hospitality is no empty word: he has made the trip just for us.

Inside, Ibn Battûta's final resting place is as humble as it is fascinating. A simple place, in the image of a man who, despite his extraordinary travels, rests in discretion – like a well-kept secret in Tangier.