Each year, Marrakech welcomes millions of tourists, most of whom flock to the gates of Majorelle Garden. This garden is named after a prominent French painter who migrated to Morocco in the late 30s. However, almost no traces of Jacques Majorelle's past can be found in this vast garden. That's why we met his grandson at the Majorelle villa to learn more about his grandfather and his work.
Just steps after entering the garden, you can spot a small blue door, shaded by lush vegetation, that's the Villa. Michel Hamman Majorelle awaits us there to share his universe. Born in Orléans, this Marrakchi moved to his grandfather's side with his mother just weeks after his birth. At the time, Jacques Majorelle had just married his second wife, who was none other than Michel's grandmother. Until the age of 8, the newly blended family lived in what is now the Majorelle Garden Museum. He confides that he became an architect following his grandfather’s wish. “I consider myself his spiritual heir. Besides the work, the paintings, the gardens… what I remember most is the man.”
The villa at the heart of the gardens
Michel tells us more about the true nature of the garden. While originally spanning 4.5 hectares, it is now divided into three plots. The first part, known to everyone, was sold by Jacques to his first wife, who then sold it to the couple Pierre Berger and Yves Saint-Laurent. The second once belonged to the former president of OM, Bernard Tapie. Michel's current Majorelle villa stands on the third plot of 2,000 square meters.
After introductions, we begin our tour of the site. Through the foliage, we glimpse the silhouettes of tourists who visit the garden for 30 Dhs and marvel at bamboos which have suffered from past visitors. On our side, we see Majorelle blue here and there, about twenty century-old palm trees, cacti scattered everywhere, and even a yucca more than 20 meters tall, all planted by the late Jacques. Upon entering the villa, a sense of humility overwhelms us, as if the painter's soul never left the place. In the vast triple living room, next to Jacques' former office, a 600-year-old pistachio tree bursts through the concrete slab to pierce the ceiling and tower like a gigantic parasol over the dwelling.
A trunk full of emotions...
When Michel invites us to discover his apartments, it feels like entering the private rooms of a museum. Besides the Art Deco style furniture designed by the creator, an old trunk placed on the floor holds many surprises full of stories about the character. A pair of foils reveals that Jacques practiced fencing, an old musket, and a winchester unveil his passion for hunting, but the most striking is this impressive collection of brushes, charcoals, and palettes used to create all his masterpieces. Michel also shows us his archive catalog about the artist, featuring plans, photos, letters from Winston Churchill, and even De Gaulle - as well as birth announcements of Jacques.
Coming back to the story of the Majorelle Villa, Michel recently started renovations to restore its old-world charm. While his initial idea was to turn it into a guest house, he shifted gears and decided to allow dreamers to experience the magic of Majorelle for an evening. After contacting several event agencies, Michel concluded it was best to rent his villa to those wishing to organize their events in a unique and extraordinary place in Marrakech.
Contact : villa_majorelle@menara.ma