22 Jun The Jardin Majorelle in Morocco

Located in the city of Marrakech, the Jardin Majorelle is one of the most popular tourist sites in Morocco. It was created by French painter Jacques Majorelle, who spent 40 years designing the lush gardens and villa on the property. The garden is also home to the Berber Museum and a memorial to Yves Saint Laurent, who became the owner of the Jardin Marjorelle in 1980.

History of Jardin Majorelle

Jacques Majorelle was an amateur botanist who found himself in Morocco after his health forced him to leave the military in 1917. He initially settled in Casablanca, but found the area too humid, before making a home in Marrakech. He was inspired by the rich and vibrant colors of the city and devoted much of his time to painting his surroundings. In 1923, he bought four plots of land and named the property Bou Saf Saf. There, he indulged his interest in botany and carefully expanded the gardens while adding neighboring pieces of land to the domain.

During this time, Majorelle also added a Cubist villa near the main house, and ultimately found that he couldn’t sustain the property on its own. He opened up the gardens—which by this point boasted plant life from five continents—to the public in order to earn money to maintain his home.

Visiting the Jardin Majorelle

Guests flock to the Jardin Majorelle from all over the world. The two-and-a-half acre garden features exotic plants from around the world, as well as a café, a gallery of artwork by Yves Saint Laurent, and much more. The gardens and the Berber Museum are wheelchair accessible.

The gardens are open every day of the year. Hours vary, depending on the season. Reduced admission prices are available for students and Moroccan citizens.