An Oasis of Calm in Marrakesh: Le Jardin Majorelle

Le Jardin Majorelle is a botanical garden and one of the most visited and enchanting sites in Marrakesh. The garden was designed by French painter Jacques Majorelle (1886-1962). It took him forty years of passion and dedication to create this beautiful botanical garden in the heart of the city. We strolled past cacti and exotic plants and trees of dreamy origin along cobalt blue plant pots. When we suddenly ran into an astonishing building painted in cobalt blue with yellow hints surrounded by palmtrees and amazing cacti, the villa of Yves Saint Laurent. This garden truly is a calming retreat near the bustling city, sheltered by high earten walls.

We had to wait in line for about half an hour before entering the garden. One of the most visited and enchanting sights in Marrakesh means that you can't avoid the crowd. Especially not when you're visiting Marrakesh in high season.

While sitting for a moment, I enjoyed the intense Majorelle blue color which Jacques Majorelle observed in the Atlas Mountains and painted the villa with.

Villa of Yves Saint Laurent

The cubist villa was designed by French architect Paul Sinoir in the 1930. The property was the residence of the artist and his wife until in the 1950s. In the 1980s, fashion designers Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé bought the property to restore it. Today the villa and garden are open to the public. The villa houses the Berber Museum, the Islamic Art Museum of Marrakesh and recently the Musee Yves Saint Laurent has opened.

The Berber Museum

At the entrance you can decide if you want to visit the garden only or also the Berber Museum. We decided to do both. We went on a day trip to the berbers in the Atlas Mountains and because of the influence of the berber culture in Marrakesh - which is reflected in the carpets with bright colors for example - we were very interested to see more about their culture art and culture. The museum - which once was the Art-Deco studio of Majorelle - didn't let us down! Costumes, weapons, weaving and decorated doors, they all express a sense of grandeur and testify to the rich diversity and creativity of this culture.

The always colorful carpets and pillows inside the Medina (the old city centre) brightens up your day!

Café Majorelle

Café Majorelle has a cozy terrace, but inside the atmosphere and interior is also very nice. For us, it was the perfect environment for a little break and enjoying a delicious, fresh quinoa salad, beetroot salad and some avocado!

Laurent inside Café Majorelle waiting for our lunch

The lunch! Looks good right?

After the lunch we walked back from the oasis of calm to the chaos of the souks in the Medina where we stayed in a Riad (authentic Moroccon house). More about our Marrakesh trip soon!