travels

Our Visit to Jardin Majorelle

(Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you use one to make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. I appreciate your support of this blog!) 

Blog post number seven about our trip to Morocco! Today I'm sharing photos (and a few tips) from our visit to Jardin Majorelle. 

Jardin Majorelle Marrakech Morocco Travel Blog with botanical garden photos

Since the Lonely Planet guide that was my main source of travel planning info was a few years old, I actually didn't even know until we arrived that right next to the garden is a brand new museum celebrating the work of fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent, who (along with his partner Pierre Bergé) purchased and restored the gardens in the 1980's. This museum is state-of-the-art and really quite fascinating. There was a beautifully curated collection of fabulous dresses and suits, but photography wasn't allowed in there, so I had to stick with these illustrations (which were pretty awesome too.) The museum felt so modern (and so French!) compared to all the surroundings. Such an interesting contrast!

Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Marrakech, Morocco - YSL fashion illustrations

Back outside, it's Moroccan again. ;) The entrance to the gardens is a short walk down the block. 

Rue Yves Saint Laurent in Marrakech, Morocco cacti and doors

I was immediately enamored with the saturated colors of the architectural details and the flowerpots. 

mosaic tile and bold blue and yellow flower pots at Jardin Majorelle

Of course, there were so many beautiful plants and flowers!

cacti and flowering plants at Jardin Majorelle, Marrakech, Morocco

How amazing is this cobalt blue building?! You can't tell from these photos, but it was SO CROWDED here.

bold cobalt blue building at Morocco botanical garden Jardin Majorelle

I wasn't expecting all these artistic details right in the middle of the botanical gardens. 

architectural details in Jardin Majorelle, Marrakech, Morocco

We enjoyed lunch at the cafe right in the heart of it all!

cafe at Jardin Majorelle with Moroccan tile

I felt right at home at Jardin Majorelle! Such an enchanting place--so much beauty to soak in!

fountains, reflecting pond at Jardin Majorelle, Morocco travel blog

Definitely do NOT miss this place if you're traveling to Marrakech. Also, do NOT make the mistakes we made:

  • Don't try to bring food. The lunch I just told you about? We had to buy that because the picnic we packed was confiscated at the entrance.
  • Don't let a taxi driver convince you to set a time for him to pick you up after your visit. There will be TONS of taxis there all the time, so there's no point worrying about being punctual. 
  • Don't miss the Berber Museum, which is (apparently!) inside that amazing blue building! We totally missed it. I think I had a vague idea that we were going to the "gardens and museum" but once we went to the YSL museum, I thought that was the museum... even though, like I said, I totally didn't know that was there! I was totally confused about the whole "museum" thing. There are TWO museums... one IN the gardens, and one NEXT TO the gardens. Go to both!

I'm having so much fun reminiscing about our trip! And I'm not sorry for dragging it out for months on end! (You think I can make it last all year?!) ;) I'm making slow progress on getting Morocco photos listed in my Etsy Shop, so let me know if you have your eye on one you'd like to see as a print! :) And stay tuned for the next part of our Moroccan adventure!