A twelve-acre botanical sanctuary in the heart of Marrakech where cobalt-blue architecture meets a living collection of over 300 plant species. One of the most visited gardens in the world — plan your visit with confidence.
"The garden is a metaphor for the world — where beauty, colour and silence find their perfect proportion." — On Jardin Majorelle
Jardin Majorelle is no ordinary garden. Spread across roughly twelve acres in the Guéliz district of Marrakech, it represents the life's work of French painter Jacques Majorelle, who spent four decades creating a place of extraordinary beauty. The garden is a harmonious collision of Orientalist painting, modernist architecture and tropical botany that continues to astonish visitors from every corner of the world.
The planting scheme is bold and theatrical. Towering bamboo groves create rustling corridors of green. Cacti from Mexico and the American Southwest punctuate the landscape with sculptural authority. Date palms and bougainvilleas frame the sky. Lotus pools reflect the intense cobalt-blue of the studio buildings — a shade Majorelle developed and patented, now known worldwide simply as Bleu Majorelle.
Today the garden is maintained by the Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent, which oversees the conservation of the plants, the museum, and the ongoing horticultural programme. The botanical collection numbers more than 300 species drawn from Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe.
Over 300 labelled plant species including rare cycads, euphorbias from Madagascar, agaves from North America and a remarkable collection of aquatic plants.
The signature cobalt blue used on the studio building and water features was personally chosen by Jacques Majorelle and has become one of the most recognisable design elements in the world.
Reflecting pools, fountain basins and narrow irrigation channels run through the garden, keeping it cool even in the height of summer and providing habitats for fish and water plants.
Jardin Majorelle receives more than 700,000 visitors each year, making it one of the most-visited cultural sites in Africa.
Born in Nancy in 1886, Majorelle studied art in Paris and Casablanca before settling in Marrakech in 1923. His orientalist paintings brought him fame; the garden became his obsession.
The legendary fashion designer first visited the garden in 1966. He described it as one of the most beautiful places he had ever seen, and returned to Marrakech again and again throughout his life.
After Majorelle's death in 1962 and years of neglect, the garden fell into disrepair. In 1980 Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé purchased the property and funded its complete restoration.
Jacques Majorelle settles in Marrakech and begins acquiring land in what is then an apricot orchard on the edge of the medina.
The iconic cobalt-blue studio building — the Villa Oasis — is completed. Majorelle begins painting the garden walls in his trademark shade.
Majorelle opens the garden to visitors, charging a small admission fee. The garden quickly becomes one of Marrakech's most admired attractions.
Jacques Majorelle dies following a car accident in Paris. The garden passes through several hands and gradually falls into decline.
Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé buy the property, halt planned development and begin an extensive restoration of both the garden and the buildings.
The studio building is converted into the Berber Museum (now the Museum of Amazigh Culture), housing an extraordinary collection of North African art and artefacts.
The Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech opens adjacent to the garden, designed by architects Studio KO, dedicated to the designer's extraordinary career.
October – April
08:00 – 17:30 daily
May – September
08:00 – 18:00 daily
Ramadan period
09:00 – 17:00 (hours may vary)
The garden is open every day of the year. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
Address
Rue Yves Saint Laurent, Guéliz, Marrakech 40090
By taxi — Any petit taxi driver knows the garden. Show the name "Jardin Majorelle" if needed.
By foot — About 25 minutes from Jemaa el-Fna square, north along Avenue Mohammed V.
Sun protection is essential — the garden has both shaded and open areas and temperatures in Marrakech can be extreme. Bring a hat, sunscreen and water.
Comfortable shoes are recommended as paths are gravel and uneven in some sections.
Photography for personal use is permitted throughout the garden. Commercial photography and professional equipment require prior permission from the management.
The garden provides extraordinary light conditions — the cobalt-blue walls are most vivid in morning light.
The main paths of the garden are accessible to wheelchair users. Some areas with narrow paths or steps may be harder to navigate. The museum building has a ramp at the entrance.
The Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech is located directly adjacent to the garden and has a separate entrance fee. Many visitors choose to combine both sites in a single half-day.
Arrive early — ideally at opening time — to experience the garden at its most peaceful before group tours arrive mid-morning.
| Category | Garden Only | Garden + Museum | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | 150 MAD approx. €14 |
220 MAD approx. €20 |
Standard rate |
| Child (4 – 12) | 70 MAD approx. €6.50 |
110 MAD approx. €10 |
Age verification may be requested |
| Child under 4 | Free | Must be accompanied by adult | |
| Photography permit | Included | Personal use only | |
Prices shown are indicative and subject to change without notice. Verify current rates with the official site or at the entrance before your visit. EUR equivalents are approximate based on current exchange rates. This website is an independent visitor information resource and is not affiliated with the garden management.
The garden opens at 08:00 (or 09:00 during Ramadan). Arriving within the first hour means fewer crowds, better light for photography and a genuinely tranquil experience. By 10:30 the first tour buses arrive.
Tickets are available directly at the entrance. On busy days (weekends, school holidays) there may be a short queue, but it generally moves quickly. Having exact change in MAD is helpful.
A thorough visit to the garden alone takes 60–90 minutes. If you plan to visit the Berber Museum (Museum of Amazigh Culture) inside the garden as well as the adjacent YSL Museum, allow three hours or more.
There is no strict dress code for the garden, but comfortable, modest clothing is appreciated in Morocco. Sunhat and good walking shoes are strongly recommended — gravel paths can be hard on sandals.
The garden has an elegant boutique selling books on Jacques Majorelle, botanical prints, Berber jewellery and high-quality souvenirs. It is one of the better curated gift shops in Marrakech.
The garden and the adjacent YSL Museum occasionally host evening events, temporary exhibitions and cultural programmes. Check their respective official websites before your trip to see what is on during your stay.
The Museum of Amazigh Culture (formerly the Berber Museum) is housed inside the original cobalt-blue studio building at the heart of the garden. It contains over 600 artefacts — jewellery, carpets, pottery and ceremonial objects — representing the extraordinary richness of Amazigh (Berber) culture from across North Africa. Entry is included in the Garden + Museum ticket.
The Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech opened in October 2017 directly adjacent to Jardin Majorelle. Designed by Studio KO, the terracotta-brick building houses permanent and temporary exhibitions dedicated to the life and work of Yves Saint Laurent, who found lifelong inspiration in Morocco. Separate entry ticket required.
There is a café within the garden grounds serving drinks, light snacks and pastries. The adjacent YSL Museum has its own café. For a full meal, the Guéliz district immediately surrounding the garden has excellent restaurants — from traditional Moroccan to contemporary international dining.
We are an independent visitor information resource covering Jardin Majorelle. If you have a question about planning your trip, admission prices or what to expect, send us a message and we will respond within one business day.