Jardin Majorelle

The Jardin Majorelle was the lifelong project of French Orientalist painter Jacques Majorelle, who arrived in Morocco in 1917. Starting in 1923, he purchased the land and spent nearly forty years meticulously designing this botanical sanctuary. He filled it with exotic plants from five continents and constructed a cubist villa, which he painted a specific, vibrant shade of cobalt blue that would eventually be patented as Majorelle Blue. Following Jacques Majorelle's death in 1962, the garden was left abandoned and faced the threat of being demolished to make way for a hotel complex. However, in 1980, the world-renowned fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé discovered the site and decided to purchase it. Their intervention saved the garden from destruction, and they embarked on an extensive restoration project to return the landscape to its former glory. Today, the garden stands as one of Morocco's most visited sites and serves as a testament to the enduring link between Saint Laurent and Marrakech. The property now houses the Berber Museum in Majorelle's former studio, showcasing a rich collection of indigenous artifacts. Managed by the Fondation Jardin Majorelle, the site continues to inspire visitors with its unique blend of Art Deco architecture, Moorish influences, and diverse botanical collection.