Top 10 things to do in Majorelle Gardens

Top 10 things to do in Majorelle Gardens

Top 10 things to do in Majorelle Gardens: The Majorelle Gardens combine breathtaking nature with art, architecture and history. Discover each of the spaces in this little oasis in Marrakech.
If you don’t know what to see and do in Marrakech during your stay, the Majorelle Botanical Gardens is one of the must-see destinations, visited daily by dozens of tourists and locals alike. This is due to the incredible natural landscape, with its large collection of trees and flowers, beautiful architecture and several museums.

You can stroll freely through the garden and enjoy the beauty of every corner. You’ll have the opportunity to visit the Yves Saint Laurent museum, dedicated to the famous French couturier, as well as the Berber museum’s exhibits to learn a little more about the city’s history, among other destinations integrated into the garden, which I’ll tell you about in a moment.

Take a tour of Marrakech’s magnificent Majorelle Gardens:

Spending a morning or afternoon exploring the magnificent Majorelle Gardens is a must when visiting Marrakech because of the many charms this oasis of art and landscaping has to offer.

If you book a tour of the Majorelle gardens, you won’t have to worry about the journey, as a chauffeur-driven vehicle will pick you up at your hotel door and take you back to the same place.

This tour also includes a walk through the Palmeraie, Marrakech’s ancient palm grove, a camel ride and a tea break in an old house. A sensory experience not to be missed on your trip to Marrakech.

Discover the charms of the Majorelle gardens:

The Majorelle Garden is a small, natural haven of peace, home to a multitude of botanical species, animals, ponds, canals and fountains.
As you enter the garden, you’ll notice a beautiful square fountain welcoming you, designed by interior architect Bill Willis. You’ll gradually discover the hidden gems of this little man-made oasis.

Bamboo forest:

In the bamboo forest, you can stroll along the water channel that joins the fountain, or sit by the area’s emblematic kiosk to enjoy the shade and coolness.
What’s more, if you pay attention to your surroundings, you’ll spot a number of bird species, as this small forest has become their favorite refuge.

A variety of cactus:

The Majorelle garden is home to a large collection of cacti, comprising some sixty species. You’ll be able to get up close and personal with this family of plants of different textures, shapes, shades of green and sizes, most of which originate from the southwestern United States.

Water lily and lotus pond:

Passing the pond of aquatic plants, you can’t help but stop, as it creates a perfect contrast with the desert landscape and endemic flora that characterize the city of Marrakech. You’ll see the magnificent water lilies and sacred lotus flowers, both imported from Asia by Yves Saint Lauren and Pierre Bergé.

Top 10 things to do in Majorelle Gardens: Palm collection:

Another of the garden’s great attractions not to be missed is its collection of palm trees. You’ll see several species of these large-leaved, straight-trunked plants, native to the region, as well as others imported from the Canary Islands, Africa, India, the Pacific and the Mediterranean basin.

What’s more, if you’re a fan of these plants and want to enjoy their particular beauty, hiring a tour of the Majorelle garden will give you the opportunity to visit the Marrakech palm grove, the ideal place for camel rides and a unique experience.

Useful information:

Price: General admission to the Jardin Majorelle costs around 14 euros per person, with reduced prices for Moroccan and international students, Moroccan citizens and residents. Admission is free for children under 12, the press, travel agencies and educational establishments.
Opening hours: Jardin Majorelle opening hours vary according to the month of the year. For example, from October to April, it is open from 8am to 6pm, from May to September from 8am to 6:30pm and during Ramadan from 9am to 5pm. Last admission is one hour before closing time.

Visit the Berber Museum in Marrakech’s Majorelle Gardens:

The city’s extraordinary history isn’t just visible when you explore Marrakech’s desert in a day or visit the Medina. You can also discover the richness and diversity of the Berber people at the Berber Museum during your visit to Jardin Majorelle.

The museum is located in the northeast corner of the site. It occupies the space formerly occupied by the studio of painter Jacques Majorelle, first owner of the gardens, built in 1931 by architect Paul Sinoir.

Top 10 things to do in Majorelle Gardens: Architectural presentation:

As you approach the building, you are struck by the cobalt-blue tone of the facade, which covers almost all the buildings in the garden. As you enter the museum, you’ll also notice some of the details that characterize the modernist style of the 1930s. You’ll see a series of tile mosaics, screens and other decorative elements typical of Moroccan architectural style.

Exhibitions:

As far as the exhibits are concerned, you’ll find three rooms with a major exhibition devoted to the indigenous Moroccans. You’ll see some 600 objects from different regions, from the mountainous Rif to the Sahara desert. All were collected by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé.

Among the objects on display are textiles, weapons, basketry, carpets, leather goods and jewelry. You’ll also see pieces chiselled, enamelled and covered in filigree, a technique based on soldered silver or gold threads.

Top 10 things to do in Majorelle Gardens: Further information:

Price: general admission to the Musée Berbère costs around 5 euros per person. There are also reduced rates for Moroccan and international students, Moroccan citizens and residents. Admission is free for children under 12, the press, travel agencies and national educational establishments.
Opening hours: The Berber Museum is open from October to April from 8am to 6pm, from May to September from 8am to 6:30pm and during Ramadan from 9am to 5pm. Last admission is one hour before closing time.

Visit selected exhibitions at the Musée Yves Saint Laurent:

If you’re passionate about the world of haute couture, make the most of your stay of at least two days in Marrakech to visit the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in the Majorelle Gardens.

As you wander through the halls of the Yves Saint Laurent museum, you’ll discover some 5,000 garments, 50,000 sketches and 15,000 haute couture accessories. The Yves Saint Laurent museum is also a meeting place for architecture, as the building is a clear reference between traditional Moroccan style and modern trends.

During your visit, you’ll have access to the museum’s research library and bookshop. You’ll also enjoy a very cool atmosphere outside the building, ideal if you’re visiting Marrakech in summer. This is thanks to the Florida vines and the rectangular fountain accompanied by papyrus, monstera, prickly pear and giant strelitzia.

Top 10 things to do in Majorelle Gardens: Further information:

Price: general admission to the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech costs an average of 12 euros per person, with a reduced rate for international students and children over 10. Admission is free for the disabled, children under 10, the trade press and school groups.
Opening hours: The Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, with last admission at 5:30 pm. The museum is closed on Wednesdays.

Stop for lunch and a break at Café Majorelle:

While strolling through the Majorelle gardens, you can sample Moroccan cuisine and, more specifically, some of the dishes typical of the city of Marrakech. To do so, stop off at the Café Majorelle, located just a few meters from the Boutique du Jardin.

In this pleasant place, you can sit at a table in the shade, surrounded by beautiful greenery, as the café is in the open air. You can relax, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy a hot or cold drink, breakfast or lunch.

In this case, you’ll have several options such as tajine (chicken, lamb or vegetable stew), zaaluk (lettuce, tomato, tuna and onion salad) or lamb or chicken kebabs, among other dishes usually offered in Marrakech restaurants.

Top 10 things to do in Majorelle Gardens: Useful information:

Price: a visit to the Café Majorelle is offered as part of the visit to the Jardin Majorelle, and is therefore included in the visit to the Jardins de Marjorelle.
Opening hours: the Café Majorelle is open every day at the same times as the Jardin Majorelle.

Discover Moroccan handicrafts at the Jardin Majorelle Boutique:

Whether you visit Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech in January or any other month of the year, you’ll find the doors to the Boutique open. It’s a boutique located in the heart of this little oasis, where you can observe and purchase the work of the finest Moroccan artisans.

As you enter the Boutique, you’ll first be struck by the use of color in the space, designed as a tribute to Yves Saint Laurent. Next, you’ll discover a range of products that testify to the nobility of craftsmanship. All with the highest standards of finish and materials.

Choose from garments that reflect the country’s ancestral culture, made from Shantung silk and other high-quality textiles. You’ll also find leather products such as embroidered cushions and handbags, or traditional slippers.

Top 10 things to do in Majorelle Gardens: Useful information

Price: Access to the Jardin Majorelle Boutique is included in the price of admission to the Jardin Majorelle and therefore in the price of the visit to the Jardins de Marjorelle.
Opening hours: The Jardin Majorelle Boutique is open every day. Opening hours vary according to the season. For example, from October to April, it is open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, from May to September from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm, and during Ramadan from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with the last entrance 30 minutes before closing.

Visit the Memorial dedicated to fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé:

Another stop on your visit to the Majorelle gardens is the Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé Memorial, a small space dedicated to the famous couturier and his sentimental partner, who bought the garden after the death of Jacques Majorelle, the previous owner.

A Roman-style column, specially brought from the Moroccan city of Tangier, stands on a pedestal. It bears a plaque with Saint Laurent’s name, date of birth and date of death. Next to the plaque is the name of Pierre Bergé, also a benefactor of this natural area.

This is undoubtedly a very special space, which may be of even greater significance to you if you visit the Majorelle Garden in Marrakech in June, as this month marks the anniversary of the death of haute couture icon Yves Saint Laurent.

Top 10 things to do in Majorelle Gardens: Useful information:

Price: Access to the Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé Memorial is included in the visit to the Jardin Majorelle, and is therefore included in the visit to the Jardins de Marjorelle.
Times: The Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé Memorial is accessible during Jardin Majorelle opening hours.