The Majorelle Blue

Pierre Bergé Museum for Berber Arts

Long before my trip to Marrakech, I had decided that one of the top places I would visit in the city would be the Jardin Majorelle. And I nearly missed it. I took too long to make the online reservation that the only available spot left was the day before my flight back home. I got caught in sightseeing around the city and taking a day trip to Essaouira. Lesson learned but it exacted a toll! I missed both the Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts and the YSL Museum because the timed visit to the garden was at 2 p.m. and the museum closes at 6:30 p.m. If you’re planning to visit all three places, plan well ahead and get a time slot in the morning so you have enough time to enjoy the garden and museums. You can pay for entrance fees to all three or pay for just one or two of the three. Since I was starting at 2 p.m., I got just the ticket for the garden. I hope I’ll be able to visit Marrakech again so I can see the extensive collections of the museums.

Jacques Majorelle, a French Orientalist painter, started the cultivation of his garden in 1922. The property he bought had a large palm grove. He added exotic plants which he brought from his travels around the world. After his death in 1962, the garden was abandoned for nearly two decades until the famous French designer, Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Bergé, acquired the property in 1980 and restored the gardens. Bergé installed the Berber Arts Museum in the former studio of Majorelle.

After the studio of Majorelle was built in 1931, it was painted in this intense blue color called Majorelle blue and is trademarked. The covered walkway in the photo above leads to the studio.

Pierre Bergé Museum for Berber Arts

Cactus Garden

The garden is divided into four sections: the bamboo grove, the lily ponds, the palm grove and cactus gardens.

Espostoa cactus (left) and Saguaro cactus (right)

Reflections

Bamboo grove

Reflections

Villa Oasis and Pavilion

The Villa Oasis was the home of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé.

Pavilion and Lily pond

Villa Oasis and Lily pond

Palm trees, cactus and succulents, banana trees and terracotta pottery surround this inviting patio.

Cactus Garden - Blind Prickly Pear

Cactus Garden - Fire Barrel cactus

Cactus garden - Variety of Agave Succulents

Palm Garden

Mediterranean Fan Palm (background), Kalanchoe (pink flowers),

Aloe Soap (orange flowers)

Washingtonia palm species

All the palm trees lead to.....

Villa Oasis

Terracotta Sentinel

Memorial To Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé

Important Notice for Visitors

How to purchase tickets:

https://www.jardinmajorelle.com/en/

Rue Yves Saint Laurent, Marrakech

Though my time slot was at 2:00 p.m., I didn’t get to enter the garden until around 2:20 p.m. together with the rest of the people who had 2 p.m. tickets. I was there early so I was not too far from the front of the line. I saw that people on a group tour were allowed to enter ahead of us. I don’t know if they were on an earlier time slot but they got there after I did. Also, I believe there is a short grace period if you’re not there during your scheduled time. But be sure to verify this before you go. There is no discount for senior citizens but disabled people with a current disability card may enter for free.

Private Guide in Marrakech:

Elena arranged for my private city tour of Marrakech and private day trip to the seaside city of Essaouira. She showed me around the Bahia Palace, Koutoubia, Jmaa el Fnaa and took me to the Jardin Majorelle. Elena also found me a driver to take me to church on Sunday and drop me off at the airport. Most importantly, she got me a tuktuk driver to take me through the narrow alleys of the Medina to the Madrasa Ben Youssef. This was a huge relief because I have knee problems. Elena has worked in the hotel industry for many years and can also help you find a good riad. Contact her on WhatsApp at 212 695 462055. I have to say that I had a great time in Marrakech and Essaouira, thanks in large part to Elena’s help.

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