Description: Around a dozen years ago when we last visited Marrakech the Jardin Majorelle were fairly quiet and a little run down, so we rather foolishly thought it would be similar and so sauntered over to the gardens after lunch to find them fairly packed out.
The gardens were founded by French expat artist Jacques Majorelle in 1924. Majorelle as a painter is largely forgotten today, although his father a famous furniture maker is still renowned. Rather annoyingly for Majorelle his gardens are remembered today largely because they were purchased and championed by French fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent in 1980.
The gardens are a little way out of Marrakech city centre; we walked it in about 30 minutes but the way is dusty and busy with traffic, so you would be as well to grab one of the many taxis that are around on every Marrakech street to it. At the entrance there are a parade of shops (something I didn't remember during our last visit) selling designer and tourist gear. We did pretty well buying a scarf, a handbag and for my patience a Morocco T-Shirt.
The gardens aren't huge at about 12 acres, and as I said it was rather frustratingly busy so we didn't get a quiet or peaceful experience. While the birds were singing, we felt the sound had to be taped as no self respecting bird would stay in the crowds for very long. The entrance fee was £3.50 which was reasonable, although there was an extra charge to visit the small museum in the original house; I understand it houses local and original clothing from times gone by.
While the crowds disappointed me, I could not help but get swept away in the garden; the wonderful deep Majorelle blue of the walls contrasting wonderfully with the brightly painted primary colours of the plant pots and the green of the plants themselves. There seems to be something of a Japanese influence in the garden with areas of carefully raked stones in places, surrounded by bamboo plants. The garden also made good use of water, and the carp in the ponds again had a Japanese air for me.
There is a restaurant in the gardens, but unfortunately they were having something of a laugh with the prices they were charging. We had a drink outside for less than half the price the gardens were charging.
While I enjoyed the Jardin Majorelle, I couldn't but help thinking that the place had gotten a little over popular for its own good. If you venture out here, I suggest you try and avoid the crowds by arriving either early or late in the day.
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