Majorelle Garden, Museum and Ramparts

RAMPARTS OF MARRAKECH : The medina’s walls are over 9 metres high, 2 metres thick and are about 19 kilometres in length. The oldest parts of the ramparts date from the 12th century; the walls were extended south and north in the 16th century. Those walls are interspersed by 202 square –shaped towers and 10 imposing gates give access to the town. Topped by a walkway, the 8 to 10 m- high walls served as a protection against attacks from enemies.

MAJORELLE GARDEN : is a small, peaceful heaven, located in the heart of the city of Marrakesh. This botanical garden was created in 1931 by the French painter Jacques Majorelle. Although the Majorelle Garden has existed in Morocco for decades, it was only made famous abroad when the Majorelle Garden’s former owner and care-taker, fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, featured it in the 1997 Chelsea Flower Show in London. Since this time, many have journeyed to Morocco just to see the Majorelle Garden.

BLUE MAJORELLE : In 1924 the French artist Jacques Majorelle constructed his largest art work, the Majorelle Garden in Marrakech, and painted the garden walls, fountains, features and villa this very intense shade of blue, for which he trademarked the name Majorelle Blue. He had noticed the colour in Moroccan tiles, in Berber burnouses, and around the windows of buildings such as kasbahs and native adobe homes.

THE BERBER MUSEUM : The Berber Museum inside Majorelle Gardens is a small museum with an exhibition area of 200 m2 exploring the Berber culture in Morocco with a unique collection of Berber objects from diverse regions of Morocco. It presents a panorama of the extraordinary creativity of these people, the oldest in North Africa. From the Rif to the Sahara, more than 600 objects, such as artefacts, photographs, films and traditional clothes, collected in order to attest the richness and diversity of a culture that is still alive. The usual explanatory texts are in French, English and Arabic…

THE YVES SAINT LAURENT MUSEUM : The YSL Museum wins the award for "Best New Public Building" by Wallpaper Design Magazine. The museum shows creative masterpieces that span the late designer's 40-year career, from 1962 until his retirement in 2002. (He passed away six years later, in 2008.) Next door to the Majorelle Garden and steps away from his private villa, roughly 1,000 items from Saint Laurent’s studio are on view.

HOURS OF OPENING :

Majorelle Garden and Berber Museum: Open every day of the year :

October 1 – April 30: 8 am – 5:30 pm

May 1 – September 30 : 8 am – 6 pm

The month of Ramadan: 9 am – 5 pm

Yves Saint Laurent Museum: Open every day except Wednesday

Open every day : from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm except Wednesdays

Month of Ramadan : from 10 am to 5 pm