A World Famous Designer’s Art-Deco Treasure: Visit Majorelle Gardens

Come with me to the gardens of Yves and Pierre…

The Garden, located in the city of Marrakech and restored by Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Berge in 1922, is one of the most enchanting and mystical gardens in Morocco. Created in the space of forty years, it is surrounded by walls and is a labyrinth of intersecting alleys. Gorgeous. Intertwining levels and Moorish Art Deco style buildings in bold colors. Really bold. Wonderfully bold.

The garden is a gigantic and opulent heap of exotic plants and trees from the most distant lands, designed both as a sanctuary and as a laboratory by the French painter Jacques Majorelle from 1922. 

Majorelle Gardens website

Of course Yves and Pierre wanted to live there. So would I. Sipping mint tea among the flora. Yep, I could do that.

In 1980, Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé, who traveled to and fell in love with Morocco in 1966, bought the Garden to save it from a hotel complex project that was considering its destruction. The new owners decide to live in the villa of the artist Jacques Majorelle, renamed Villa Oasis.

We arrived early, at 8:30 am before the crowd of visitors snaking around the gardens and through the streets as we were leaving. Great decision by our guide. YSL’s partner, Pierre Berge was an enthusiastic collector of authentic Berber costuming, decorative arts, jewelry, weapons and household items. All things related to this complex civilization so intimately woven into Moroccan lore. It deserves its own post but the museum is beautiful, fascinating and prohibits photos. Only one is featured on its website:

Our serendipitous treat was the unexpected visit and conversation with the grandson of the Garden’s original owner and visionary, French painter Jacques Majorelle (1886-1962). Michel Pidancet is the grandson of the second wife of the French painter and explained his own efforts to collect and display his grandfather’s works.

Very much worth a morning visit if you’re ever in Marrakech and want a break from the chaos of the souks and the Jemaa el-Fna Square!!

Online ticket purchase must be made 24 hours before your visit.

In order to make the most of your visit to the Majorelle Garden, the museum recommends that you reserve your time slot via their online ticket office. Tickets can also be purchased from the Jardin Majorelle box office during opening hours, Monday to Sunday, 8am to 6pm; last access at 5:30 p.m.

The Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts is open Monday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; last access at 5 p.m.

Contact: +212 5 24 29 86 86