Take a virtual tour of the Majorelle Garden
The Majorelle Garden, bought by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé in 1980, is an exotic wonder which attracts crowds from all over the world to see its collection of huge plants and the Moorish style house. The must-see attraction in Morocco for any time of year.
BY MANON GARRIGUES, TRANSLATED BY HANNAH LARVIN
VOGUE FRANCE, may, 26, 2020
Africa. Morocco. Marrakesh. Majorelle Garden. (Photo by: Giuseppe Masci/AGF/UIG via Getty Images) getty images
Artist Jacques Majorelle fell in love with the exotic botany in Morocco in the 1920s after taking up residence in the red soil lands of Marrakesh. The painter cultivated the Majorelle Garden by 1929. The garden’s main feature is a fountain and pools of water lilies, next to the Moorish art deco style villa, created by the architect Paul Sinoir in 1931 whilst the artist worked in his atelier on the bottom floor. The villa’s blue color was inspired by the water of an Atlas, which is the nomenclature now given to the specific color. A unique and instantly recognizable color, for a rare and beautiful piece of architecture.
MOROCCO - 2001/01/01: Morocco, Marrakech, Majorelle Garden, (yves Saint Laurent), Pond With Waterlilies. (Photo by Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images)getty images
Jacques Majorelle was a lover of botany, and thought of his garden as an impressionist painting in which the paint could become plants – and not just any plants, but rare flowers and greenery from every continent. The luxurious, peaceful gardens arouse a sense of wonder with just a walk among the cacti, palm trees and fountains that play gentle music to any stroller in search of relaxation.
Majorelle Gardens, Marrakech, Morocco. (Photo by: Sharpshooters /VW Pics/UIG via Getty Images)getty images
MARRAKECH, MOROCCO - OCTOBER 20: A view of the botanical Majorelle Gardens, designed by the French artist Jacques Majorelle and once owned by Yves Saint-Laurent, on October 20, 2009 in Marrakech, Morocco. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty Images)getty images
Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé fell in love with the Majorelle Gardens on their first trip to Marrakesh in 1966, and decided to buy the garden and villa in 1980. “We quickly became very familiar with this garden, and went there every day. It was open to the public yet almost empty. We were seduced by this oasis where colors used by Matisse were mixed with those of nature." … "And when we heard that the garden was to be sold and replaced by a hotel, we did everything we could to stop that project from happening. This is how we eventually became owners of the garden and of the villa. And we have brought life back to the garden through the years.” Wrote Pierre Bergé in his book Yves Saint Laurent, Une passion marocaine. The couple stayed in the artists’ villa, which they renamed ‘Oasis Villa’. Inspired by the villas bright colors, Yves Saint Laurent created a collection using a palette of colors entirely taken from the villa.
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Today, the gardens and villa remain one of the most visited and enjoyed places in Marrakesh. The Majorelle Garden also acts as a Berber museum in the bottom floor atelier of Jacques Majorelle. Open to the public, the museum displays the personal collections of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, as well as some temporary exhibitions.
Islamic Art Museum of Marrakech at Majorelle Garden with cactus and palms. (Photo by: Education Images/UIG via Getty Images)getty images
Majorelle Garden, Rue Yves St Laurent By A-Maps, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco.
Manon Garrigues & Hannah Larvin, "Take a virtual tour of the Majorelle orelle Garden, a center of peace and serenity in Marrakesh", VOGUE FRANCE, may, 26, 2020