Majorelle Garden – Marrakech

Majorelle Garden in Marrakech, Morocco, was designed by the expatriate French artist Jacques Majorelle (1886-1962) in the 1920s and 1930s, during the colonial period when Morocco was a protectorate of France. The 12 acre garden is home to 12 species of birds, a significant collection of cactus and many fountains and is considered to be Majorelle’s creative masterpiece. It was first opened to the public in 1947.

Since 1980 the garden has been owned by the famous French fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre BergÉ and latterly their foundation which now manages the site.  Yves Saint Laurent had an enduring love affair with Marrakech which began with his first visit in 1966. “When I discovered Marrakech, it was an extraordinary shock. The city taught me colour,” he said. After Yves Saint Laurent died in 2008 his ashes were scattered in the Majorelle Garden.

The principal building, above, exudes Moorish charm, with a hint of Art Deco, is painted in astonishingly vibrant primary colours, glowing with an intense blue the artist perceived in the Atlas Mountains. The special shade of bold cobalt blue which he used extensively in the garden and its buildings is named after him, “bleu Majorelle”—Majorelle Blue (pots of paint of this colour are available for sale in the on-site shop…).

The building in the garden also houses the Islamic Art Museum of Marrakech, whose collection includes North African textiles, ethnic costumes, ceramics and jewelry from Yves Saint-Laurent’s personal collection, and also paintings by Majorelle.

Adjoining the garden is the small Yves Saint-Laurent “Love” gallery. Here  you can find a collection of “Love” posters Yves Saint Laurent designed over a period of 35 years. Every year he sent them as greeting to his close friends. They are largely made of collages created around the word ‘LOVE’, some featuring his beloved bulldog Moujik.