The Majorelle Garden, an infinitely blue Eden

Jacques Majorelle, a French painter with a passion for travel and the creator of this exceptional place, gave it its letters of nobility. He discovered Morocco in 1917 and fell under the spell of the country and its culture. He acquired a plot of just over one hectare to the north-west of Marrakech, where he built a Moorish-influenced villa and a Berber-style workshop adjacent to the house.

He decided to merge his two passions, painting and plants, in this incredible place and turned it into a botanical jewel. A few years later, he launched the construction of another project, this time in the cubist style, and decided to lay out a garden around the building, which he would perfect over time with exotic plants (cacti, coconut palms and banana trees).

Thanks to his talent as a painter and his overflowing imagination, he turned the area into a magical, lush palm grove that exists nowhere else. A work of which he was very proud. However, the menagerie did not always enjoy happy days. After the death of its creator, the garden was abandoned before finally being purchased in the early 1980s by the famous couturier Yves Saint Laurent, who drew inspiration from the site for a number of his creations. It is thanks to him that this earthly paradise has been restored to its former splendour.

As soon as you arrive, you'll be immersed in this bubble of warmth and lush vegetation. The garden covers more than a hectare and boasts around 300 species of plants. These include beautiful cacti, thousands of palms, succulents and aquatic plants.

Depending on the season, you'll have the chance to visit the site while the pots are flowering. This adds an extra splash of colour to the abundant plant life.

This abundant flora is home to many species of birds, including turtle doves and falcons. Keep your eyes peeled for a glimpse of one at the top of the palm trees. Stroll through the colourful alleys of this incredible place and sneak up on the blue villa to take a photo in front of one of the walls or on a zellij step. The lapping of the many fountains along the way adds a sublime touch to the whole. It's sublime! Despite the crowds, the place is very peaceful and gives you a real sense of calm.

The Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Art

Continue your exploration of this majestic site by visiting the Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts and its library. Before it became a real cultural space, it was Jacques Majorelle's painting studio. The museum is home to many works of art that once belonged to this North African people. More specifically, the history of the Berber tribes is told through audiovisual projections in the museum's various galleries.

The Yves Saint Laurent Museum

Located a few steps from the Majorelle garden, this museum designed by Studio KO is striking for its designer brick architecture. The superposition of rounded and cubic shapes gives it a contrasting and very modern style. The brickwork is reminiscent of the colours of traditional local houses.

Inside, a number of haute couture creations are on display, tracing the career of Yves Saint Laurent. The permanent exhibition pays tribute to the couturier's never-ending inspirations. Temporary exhibitions have also been added.

📍 Address: rue Yves St Laurent, Marrakech

THE MAJORELLE GARDEN

⏰Opening hours: daily from 8am to 6pm (last entry at 5.30pm)

👛 Price: Adult €15 (150 DH) / child under 10 €7.5 (75 DH)

👉 Accessibility: people with reduced mobility can access the site.

THE YVES SAINT LAURENT MUSEUM

⏰Opening hours: daily from 10am to 6pm (last admission at 5.30pm)

👛 Admission: Adults €13 (DH130) / children under 10 €6.5 (DH65)

THE PIERRE BERGE MUSEUM

⏰Opening hours daily from 8am to 5.30pm (last admission at 5pm)

👛 Price (garden + museum): Adults 20 € (200 DH) / children under 10 10 € (100 DH)