Thanks to Yves Saint Laurent (and Instagram!), I wouldn't be surprised if you've already seen this divine oasis a million times over. So what's one more? Those deeply rich blues (my love for the color is everlasting - just call me La Femme Bleu), the rare gargantuan cacti, that soft bubbling water fountain, the charming bougainvillea, the refreshing breeze...I could go on endlessly. The gardens are so calming with loads of (good) shade, giving off a sense of peace that is the polar opposite to the otherwise chaotic and bustling city which hosts it. It's no surprise they're the most frequently visited in all of Marrakech - just make sure to get there early enough to avoid the major crowds and enjoy them properly.
The gardens were originally designed by French artist Jacques Majorelle in the 1920s and 1930s when he created his own shade of blue and commissioned an architect to design the villa for him. Majorelle would then spend numerous years here continuing to create his art while caring for the lush gardens until his death. It wasn't until 1966, after his death, that Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé discovered the gardens after their first stay in Marrakech.
“We quickly became very familiar with this garden, and went there every day. It was open to the public yet almost empty. We were seduced by this oasis where colours used by Matisse were mixed with those of nature...And when we heard that the garden was to be sold and replaced by a hotel, we did everything we could to stop that project from happening. This is how we eventually became owners of the garden and of the villa. And we have brought life back to the garden through the years.”
During my time in Marrakech, I actually visited the gardens twice. Once with my girlfriends to take pictures and just capture its beauty, and another to properly take it all in. It will only take you about 45 minutes to walk around the gardens, so I highly recommend you bring a book with you, find a cozy corner, and read there for a few hours if you can. Another worthwhile tip I discovered is that the gardens host a Café Majorelle, where you can combine your visit with an outdoor lunch. Entry is 70dh (about $7) with the additional meal going for around $12.
Overall, it definitely lives up to the hype. Part garden, part villa, part boutique, and part museum this one is definitely not to be missed.
