The Majorelle Garden: A Sanctuary of Art and Nature in Marrakesh
From a Painter’s Dream to a Fashion Icon’s Legacy
Nestled in the heart of Marrakesh, the Majorelle Garden (Jardin Majorelle) is more than just a botanical haven—it is a masterpiece of color, creativity, and cultural fusion. A place where art meets nature, history intertwines with design, and inspiration lingers in every corner. From its origins under the brushstroke of French Orientalist painter Jacques Majorelle to its revival under the stewardship of legendary fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, the garden tells a story of passion, decline, and resurrection. Walking through its shaded paths, one steps into a living canvas that has captivated artists, travelers, and dreamers for nearly a century.
Jacques Majorelle: The Painter Who Became a Gardener
Jacques Majorelle, born in 1886 in Nancy, France, was destined for an artistic life. As the son of renowned Art Nouveau furniture designer Louis Majorelle, he grew up surrounded by creativity. After studying at the École des Beaux-Arts in Nancy and later in Paris, he ventured to Morocco in 1917, drawn by the country’s dazzling colors and exotic landscapes.
Majorelle’s first impression of Marrakesh was one of pure enchantment. The ochre walls, the vibrant souks, the deep blues of Moroccan ceramics—it was a palette unlike anything he had seen before. Inspired, he settled in the city in 1919, purchasing a plot of land in 1923 on the outskirts of the Palmeraie, where he would spend the next four decades creating his most ambitious work: a garden that was as much a painting as it was a landscape.
His botanical retreat was unlike anything else in Marrakesh at the time. He imported exotic plant species from around the world—cacti from Mexico, water lilies from Asia, coconut palms from the Caribbean—transforming his land into a lush oasis. But it wasn’t just about plants. He painted the structures within the garden a deep, electric blue, a shade so striking it would later become known as Majorelle Blue. Inspired by Berber textiles, Moroccan tiles, and the vibrant pigments used by artisans, this intense ultramarine hue became the signature of his creation, making every pathway and pavilion feel like an extension of the sky itself.
His villa, designed in the 1930s by architect Paul Sinoir, became not only his home but also a gathering place for artists and intellectuals. Writers, painters, and photographers from all over the world would visit, drawn by the tranquility of the garden and Majorelle’s reputation as a visionary. But even great visions can fade.
A Period of Decline and an Unlikely Rescue
Majorelle’s paradise flourished for decades, but personal misfortunes and financial struggles took their toll. After his divorce in the 1950s, he was forced to sell parts of the estate. Following his death in 1962, the garden fell into neglect. The once-thriving oasis became overgrown, forgotten, and at risk of being lost to developers who saw little more than a prime piece of real estate in the expanding city.
Then, in the 1980s, two men arrived in Marrakesh who would change the garden’s fate forever: Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé.
The legendary fashion designer and his business partner had been visiting Marrakesh since the 1960s, drawn to the city’s intoxicating energy. Saint Laurent, in particular, found immense inspiration in the colors and atmosphere of Morocco—so much so that some of his most famous collections were influenced by the city’s aesthetic. On one of their visits, they stumbled upon the abandoned Majorelle Garden, overrun with weeds and on the verge of being turned into a hotel complex. But even in its neglected state, they saw its beauty.
They bought the garden without hesitation in 1980, determined to restore it to its former glory. They expanded the collection of exotic plants, repainted the structures in Majorelle Blue, and brought back the sense of magic that had once made the garden so special. Their love for the place was profound—so much so that after Saint Laurent’s death in 2008, his ashes were scattered in the rose garden, forever tying him to the sanctuary that had meant so much to him.
A Living Masterpiece and a Cultural Icon
Today, the Majorelle Garden is one of Marrakesh’s most visited attractions, drawing thousands of visitors each year. The former villa is now home to the Berber Museum, a tribute to Morocco’s indigenous Berber culture showcasing traditional jewelry, textiles, and artifacts. Just a stone’s throw away, the Musée Yves Saint Laurent—inaugurated in 2017—pays homage to the designer’s life and work, displaying iconic pieces from his fashion collections.
But beyond the museums and history, the garden remains the true star. The paths, shaded by towering bamboo and palms, lead to quiet corners where trickling fountains provide a soundtrack of serenity. The reflections of Majorelle Blue shimmer in pools of water, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that feels suspended in time.
For artists, the garden continues to be a source of inspiration. For travelers, it is an escape from the chaos of the city. For those who know its history, it is a testament to the power of creativity, restoration, and the enduring legacy of those who see beauty where others see ruin.
Jacques Majorelle may have started as a painter, but his greatest masterpiece was not on canvas—it was here, in Marrakesh, where art and nature became one.
We loved this place, but you have to pick your moment to visit as it is North Africa's most popular attraction!
Wow, very colorful photos! Thank you for sharing, I'm marking it down in my map :)