DK Travel : Marrakech : Majorelle Gardens

Majorelle Gardens

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Of Marrakech’s numerous gardens , these are the most famous and the legacy of an expatriate French painter, Jacques Majorelle, who considered himself a “gardenist”. In 1924, he acquired land and set about creating a botanical sanctuary around his studio. Majorelle opened his gardens to the public in 1947 and they remained a popular attraction until his death 15 years later. The property fell into disrepair until 1980, when it was rescued from ruin by French fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent and his artist-friend, Pierre Berge.
This is another very small site, easily crowded by the presence of just a single tour group. Visit early morning or late afternoon for the best chance of avoiding the crush. There is a small café in the gardens, open from 8am, serving hot and cold drinks, salads, sandwiches and, until 11:30am, three kinds of breakfast. Situated northwest of the medina in the New City, it’s a good idea to take a taxi or calèche to the gardens.

Top 10 Features

1. Jacques Majorelle

French artist Jacques Majorelle (1886–1962) came to Marrakech in 1919 to recuperate from his heart problems and immediately saw the painterly potential of southern Morocco.
2. Louis Majorelle

Louis Majorelle was the painter’s equally famous father. A French decorator and furniture designer, he was one of the leading exponents of the Art Nouveau style. His work is displayed in celebrated museums, such as the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.
3. The plants

3. The plants

A beautiful bamboo “forest” and an arid cactus garden with species from around the world share garden space. Most stunning of all are the flowering masses of red and purple bougainvillea.
4. Bassins and fountains

4. Bassins and fountains

The garden has a fountain and two large bassins or pools, the smaller fed by a sloping channel. Next to the museum, a third pool is filled with golden carp.
5. Boutique

5. Boutique

In the northeast corner, a small boutique sells an interesting array of quality local handicrafts including clothing, jewellery and miscellaneous leather products such as bags, sandals and beautifully bound notebooks. However, there is a notable paucity of information concerning Majorelle and his garden.
6. Islamic Art Museum

6. Islamic Art Museum

The painter’s former studio now houses a small but well-presented collection that includes Berber jewellery, fine embroidery and carved wooden items.
7. Doors and ceilings

Arguably the highlight of the museum is its collection of wooden doors and ceilings, all beautifully carved. Some of the ceiling panels are painted but most impressive are the huge double doors dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries.
8. Majorelle’s paintings

The museum’s first room has a series of lithographs depicting various Atlas kasbahs. Some of Majorelle’s most acclaimed works were the tourism posters that he created for Morocco.
9. Majorelle blue

9. Majorelle blue

The name Majorelle lives on in an electrifying shade of cobalt blue inspired by the Berber homes of southern Morocco. His former studio is strikingly painted in this colour.
10. Petrol station

At the corner of Boulevard de Safi, this petrol station was designed by Jean-François Zevaco and is possibly the city’s most striking modernist building.

Practical Information

This is another very small site, easily crowded by the presence of just a single tour group. Visit early morning or late afternoon for the best chance of avoiding the crush. There is a small café in the gardens, open from 8am, serving hot and cold drinks, salads, sandwiches and, until 11:30am, three kinds of breakfast. Avenue Yacoub El Mansour, Guéliz 024 30 18 52 Open daily: Oct–May 8am–5pm; Jun–Sep 8am–6pm Adm to gardens 30 Dh; Museum of Islamic Art 15 Dh www.jardinmajorelle.com