After our first night in Marrakech, we decided to go out and explore. First we bought bus tickets for onward travel, and after that, we took a taxi to the ville nouvelle to check out the Jardin Majorelle. This is a very interesting and photogenic garden, which is 12 acres in total, outside the Old Town of Marrakech.
It was built by French artist Jacques Majorelle, who lived in Morocco during the time when France was a colonial power in North Africa. The garden made the color Majorelle blue famous, which is this very bright shade of blue, featured all over the garden.
The garden deteriorated, until in 1980, the French fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent and his partner Pierre Berge bought it, and cultivated it ever since. In fact, as you can see in one of the pictures above, there is a monument to Yves Saint-Laurent here; his body was cremated and his ashes were scattered here back in 2008.
I should say that I can see why this garden is one of the most visited places in Morocco. It has an amazing collection of cacti, for example. Just look at the pictures above.
Finally, water is another feature here. There are waterways, ponds, and little fountains, all over the place. Overall, it makes for a wonderful tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city outside its gates. While there are plenty of people visiting this place, the garden is big enough that it doesn't feel crowded at all.
There is a Berber Museum attached to the garden, which I definitely recommend visiting. Not only does it provide a welcome respite of air conditioning, but it also features a very good collection of Berber cultural artifacts. Photography inside the museum, however, is not allowed.
So yes, when you are in Marrakech, take a taxi and visit this place. It is a good way to give yourself a break from the chaotic Old Town of Marrakech.
