A kingdom of colors
When I walk through, it's not the famous blue everyone talks about that strikes me first, but the surrounding verdant colors. The light green of the palm leaves, the slightly darker cacti, and the small bamboo grove offering a spectacle of unique color shades. I walk, impressed, through this miniature forest where vegetation reigns and intertwines harmoniously. Then, I come across a large central pond. Birds fly overhead and shades of blue, yellow, and orange brighten the scenery. Exotic plants line the surrounding fountains, providing visitors a unique glimpse of this garden, rich in colors and scents, encircling the famed villa. It's hard to imagine that this magical space was once left to decay after its creator's death in 1962...
Second life
Twenty years later, Yves Saint Laurent (whose marker is now displayed within the garden itself) and Pierre Bergé purchased the property and restored it by founding the 'Association for the Protection and Enhancement of the Majorelle Garden'. They decided to double the number of species in the garden and converted the workshop into a small museum where they display their personal collections of items inspired by Islamic art. Yet, the artworks shown cannot match the beauty that nature offers outside. The garden's pathway, arranged in a harmonious and subtle manner, truly invites daydreaming. I look around. Glimpses of sunlight filter through the leaves of the shrubs. I hear the clinking of water and observe the admiring gazes of visitors. In the pond, overflown by singing birds, water lilies float peacefully. For a moment, I ponder: reality or illusion?
Although today the garden appears as a major tourist attraction in Marrakech, rather costly (especially if you decide to dine there!), it remains an unmissable spot. Rich in history, and the sensations and images it offers, Majorelle truly is a slice of paradise in the midst of the big city.
Entry fees
At Majorelle Garden:
-Moroccans and foreign residents in Morocco: 75 MAD
-Foreigners: 170 MAD
Majorelle Garden + Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts:
-Moroccans and foreign residents in Morocco: 110 MAD
-Foreigners: 230 MAD
Text by Elisa F.
Photo by Made in Marrakech
Published on 07/13/11