Exploring Jardin Majorelle in Marrakesh: The Yves Saint Laurent Garden

Fashion lovers (and followers of the hit Netflix show, Inventing Anna) will know all about Jardin Majorelle. 

The stunning garden oasis of design icon Yves Saint Laurent is now open to the public, so you know TA-DAH.TV had to stop by for a visit. 

So, what is it like in the enchanting gardens, what can you do there and is there a best time to visit? Here’s everything we know and why Jardin Majorelle has to be on your Marrakesh itinerary.

A Brief History of Jarden Majorelle

Crafted by the visionary artist Jacques Majorelle in the early 20th century, these lush gardens were his lifelong passion project. 

Fast forward to the swinging sixties, when fashion legend Yves Saint Laurent stumbled upon this oasis and fell head over heels. 

Enchanted by its charm, he and his partner, Pierre Bergé, rescued the gardens from developers and breathed new life into the site, preserving Majorelle’s legacy and adding their own touch of elegance. 

YSL’s influence, incredible architecture, stunning plant life and intoxicating colours are all some of the reasons why the gardens attract over 900,000 tourists a year. 

Today, Jardin Majorelle stands as a living tribute to art, nature, and the enduring spirit of creativity. But who started the site?

Who Was Jacques Majorelle?

Son of renowned art nouveau furniture designer Louis Majorelle, Jacques was enchanted by Morocco’s vibrant culture and colorful streets. 

His Orientalist paintings of North Africa, including Morocco, are legendary, with some featured on 1920s travel posters. 

But his most iconic contribution? The mesmerizing cobalt blue buildings at Jardin Majorelle, inspired by Moroccan skies and Tuareg veils, now known as “Majorelle Blue”!

What is At Jardin Majorelle?

It’s not quite a hot air balloon watching the sunrise over the Atlas Mountains, but Jardin Majorelle is just as enchanting. But what are the main attractions in this secluded inner-city oasis?

Instagram YSL museum in Marrakesh

Musée Berbère

If we told you there is an incredible museum on-site at the gardens, you’d probably be forgiven for thinking it’s a comprehensive collection of YSL designs and fabrics or first works by the iconic Majorelle. But, its contents are arguably much more significant than that. 

In fact, the exhibit cases in The Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts are jam-packed full of indigenous Moroccan and Berber artifacts. Some 600 relics are housed here including textiles (apt for YSL), metalwork and… wait for… jewels!

You heard us, honest-to-goodness chiseled jewels.

Villa Oasis Gardens

The gorgeous gardens are like a balm on the senses. Babbling water features accent every turn in the cobbled path which leads past the myriad of stunning plant life.

Tones of quintessentially terracotta tones play against the bullets of Majorelle Blue. Listen carefully as you wonder and you may just be serenaded by songbirds or croaking frogs.

Yves Saint Laurent Memorial

The gardens are laden with Instagrammable moments – the potent of which is the YSL memorial statue. 

Consisting of a gorgeous Roman pillar, the touching tribute was left to the great designer by his partner Pierre Bergé. Bergé placed the pillar in the stunning gardens following the icon’s passing in 2017.

Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakesh

If you came to Marrakesh for YSL indulgence, then this is the museum for you. Inside its super chic walls, you’ll find exhibits, stunning artworks, a library and so much more.

When is The Best Time to Visit Jardin Majorelle?

The gardens open at 8:30 am every day and close at 6 pm with the final entries at 5:30 pm. Although the opening times are broad, we’d suggest getting there as early as possible. 

Because this is a super popular spot with international tourists, the later you leave your experience the tougher you may find it to get in. Plus, by the time 11 am rolls around, there are lots of people who want to grab shots of the iconic spots. 

So, get there for the opening or be willing to wait for your picture moments. But Jardin Majorelle is only 2 miles from central Marrakesh, so grabbing a taxi, bus or even a horse-drawn carriage (hello Anna Delvey) shouldn’t be too hard.

How Much Does it Cost to Tour Jardin Majorelle?

As of January 2023, the only way to bag tickets to the gardens and museums is via the on-site ticket booths or via online purchase. 

You can buy tickets to Jardin Majorelle from the site’s online store. On the site you have the option to purchase tickets to the gardens, the YSL museum, the Pierre Bergé Museum & gardens or a combined ticket. 

A combined ticket gets you into all three areas and will set you back around £25 per person. However, passes are roughly £13 for students and free for kids under 10 years old.

Discover More Iconic Sites On Our Travel Channel

We’re not ashamed to say we get around. In fact, we love nothing more than visiting gorgeous locales and bringing the experiences back to you. 

And we do all that, right here on our Travel Channel. Check it out now for more escapes across Europe. 

Alternatively, if you’re here for the museums and fashion vibes, you might be better placed over on our dedicated Arts and Culture Channel. 

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